In a 1-on-1 conversation with The Hockey News, Kevin Shattenkirk assesses his current game and what needs to change for a consistent lineup spot.

BOSTON – Kevin Shattenkirk and Jim Montomgery sat down and talked it out.

Scratched for three out of the five previous games, Shattenkirk drew back into the Boston Bruins lineup Nov. 27 against the Columbus Blue Jackets with a list of reasons why and how he could be a better defenseman for the club.

“We had a good meeting in Columbus where we just both sat down and spoke our minds. [Montgomery] is an open book so it’s good, healthy conversation,” Shattenkirk told The Hockey News Thursday at Warrior Ice Arena. “He knows when to give you a kick in the a— and when to tell you that you’re doing things well too, which I think is important.”

Shattenkirk, the 34-year-old NHL veteran, was brought to Boston this summer on a one-year, $1.05 million deal to add depth, stability and an offensive upside to the squad’s backend.

Skating with Derek Forbort on the third pair, Shattenkirk has shown glimpses of the player Boston needs him to be, but Montgomery has honed in on specific areas of improvement throughout the past few weeks.

“Knowing what I need to work on in order to stay in the lineup has been being more physical, being quicker in the defensive zone, closing on guys and hemming plays,” Shattenkirk said. “And being more aggressive offensively, jumping up in the rush more. As a defenseman, you kind of like to hear it – you think that maybe you want to be held back.”

Through the Bruins’ opening 22 games – in which they hold a 15-4-3 record – Shattenkirk has sat out for five, replaced by 24-year-old Ian Mitchell, who has bounced between AHL Providence and Boston this season.

“Play faster. It’s a big thing that we’ve communicated to him,” Montgomery said on Nov. 25. “There’s areas of his game that we want to continue to grow, but he’s still a big part of what we’re going to do this year.”

It’s been an adjustment for Shattenkirk after playing for the Anaheim Ducks the past three seasons, where he was a veteran cornerstone of their young, developing defensive group. The Stanley Cup champion isn’t used to watching from the stands, but he’s taken it as an opportunity to grow his game later in his career.

“It’s been kind of a newer experience for me, but I think it always allows you to take a step back and look at things a little bit more clearly and realize that maybe you’re not playing as well as you think. It’s been good for me,” Shattenkirk said.

Shattenkirk logged 18:29 of total ice time Monday in Columbus and 14:19 Thursday against the San Jose Sharks at TD Garden. Neither nights were perfect showings, but the right-shot defenseman had an extra jump to his game.

Whether it was second-effort plays down low, getting back quicker on transition or leaning into a support role, Shattenkirk seems to be working on the little things that lead to a consistent lineup spot.

“He’s been a real pro. He’s been great in the sense that he’s looking for ‘what do I need to do to be in the lineup every night?’” Montgomery said Thursday morning. “I thought he made some good steps last game, I thought he was more assertive…I thought his individual game showed signs of moving in the right direction.”

On a team that boasts defensemen like Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo and Hampus Lindholm, who can each dictate the game with and away from the puck, Shattenkirk understands the recent turnovers and lapses in coverage can’t happen when the third pair hits the ice.

“We have a lot of guys around us that are gonna play a lot of minutes, and when we get out there we have to be solid. We have to make sure we’re carrying our end of the rope so to speak,” Shattenkirk said.

Shattenkirk’s in the midst of rediscovering his game in the same city where it blossomed 15 years ago. A Boston University Terrier from 2007-10, Shattenkirk won a national championship in 2009 and captained BU his junior season before departing for the big leagues.

“I got to go to a BU game a couple weeks ago against Maine and bring my son, which was really cool,” Shattenkirk said. “It’s a city that I always held dearly and I really appreciate the people of Boston and how they rally around their teams – we’ve felt that as a family.”

The Bruins will need the defensive depth a top-functioning Shattenkirk brings to the lineup if they want to go far this season. And as the group continues to work through adversity as a whole, Shattenkirk is committed to his personal journey as well.

“It’s good to see what you’re made of when things aren’t going your way,” Shattenkirk said.