‘Yesterday’s over with:’ Jake DeBrusk handled benching ‘like a pro’

Jim Montgomery sent an early message to Jake DeBrusk after the forward was a healthy scratch for the Bruins’ win against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night. DeBrusk was late to a team meeting, which prompted the move.

He’ll return to the lineup Sunday when Boston continues its road trip and takes on the Anaheim Ducks, and Montgomery revealed what his message was to DeBrusk upon inserting him back into game action.

“Yesterday is over with. We worry about today and he gets a chance here to come back and help us win hockey games,” Montgomery said prior to Sunday’s puck drop. “I thought he handled it well. He handled it like a pro.”

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DeBrusk was scratched under Bruce Cassidy during the 2020-21 season, but because he couldn’t quite find a groove. He responded well to the benching and had a chance to play on the top line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. There he began to play a bit better and became a mainstay on the top line last year in Montgomery’s first year as coach.

Benching DeBrusk so early in the season was certainly a statement made by Montgomery. But he didn’t want it to be seen as him sending a message to the younger players on the team. Instead, he wants his players to know there’s standards that he expects them to meet.

“There’s just a standard that we believe in here. When that standard isn’t met, there’s repercussions,” he said. “But yesterday is over with. It’s a new day and we’re moving forward.”

DeBrusk has been held without a point through the three games he’s played, but he can snap that Sunday as the Bruins look to remain undefeated.

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