Zack Bolduc took the St. Louis Blues’ coaching change to heart apparently.
The forward, a 2021 first-round pick, was stuck in mud in the early portion of the season, with no goals in 16 games and being in and out of the lineup.
But in Jim Montgomery’s first game as Blues coach, he trusted Bolduc to be on the ice in important situations, and Bolduc responded.
And he did it with a shooter’s mentality.
The 21-year-old scored his first two goals of the season on a career-high seven shots on goal in a 5-2 win over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Monday.
Watching Bolduc, who had nine points (five goals) in 25 games last season, it was like watching a lost soul out there at times.
But Montgomery put Bolduc on a line together with Dylan Holloway, who was also terrific with two assists, and Oskar Sundqvist and the two kids were shining brightly.
Bolduc was working, getting to the net, getting in shooting opportunities, and gaining trust throughout the game.
His first goal put the Blues ahead 2-1 4:30 into the second period on a effort-based play by Holloway, Radek Faksa at the net and Bolduc cleaning up the trash:
His second was effort-based as well, first by Colton Parayko, then Bolduc working Artemi Panarin along the boards, and instead of giving up on the play, Bolduc goes to the net, tips the point shot and collects his rebound snapping it past Igor Shesterkin for a 4-2 lead at 8:25 of the third period:
Montgomery was trusting the youngsters enough to put them on the ice late in the game protecting a 4-2 lead. That’s probably a bigger shot in the arm than anything, gaining that trust from the coach.
Bolduc’s 15:22 time on ice was his second-most of the season and he was a plus-2.
He did take two minor penalties, which the Blues killed, but you can overlook the second one for trying to win a puck.
It was needless to say, his best game of the season and first multi-goal game of his NHL career.
