Confidence issues marring power play

The Bruins have turned up the power the last two weeks as they prepare for the playoffs. They need to ratchet up the power play in order to succeed in the second season.

The Atlantic Division leaders are hot, winners of four straight and five of six heading into Tuesday’s home date with the Hurricanes. The power play, however, has connected just twice in its last 24 chances.

Charlie Coyle struck with the man advantage in the overtime win over the Panthers, perhaps signaling a change of luck. Proven producers David Pastrnak and

Brad Marchand prove the talent is there, but the results haven’t been. Pastrnak last connected on the PP against the Maple Leafs March 7, while Marchand’s drought dates to Jan. 13 against the Blues.

Jim Montgomery thinks the extended rut might be stuck in some players’ heads.

“I think it’s [confidence] and I also think it’s mental,” the coach said following Monday’s practice at Warrior Arena. “We talked to them today, we had a meeting. Guys aren’t seeing plays that are there. They’re not seeing them at practice sometimes, surprisingly. I know it’s easy [for me], standing there and I’m watching. But if my old eyes are seeing it, they should be seeing it.”

Montgomery shed light on what he wants to see from his power-play peeps.

“I think their mind-set needs to be about what we’re going to do instead of, ‘Oh, I wonder if it’s not going to work again.’ And that’s natural, and I think that the details of everybody in their position needs to be better,” he said. “We need to have a shot-first mentality from the elbows and from the top. We need our bumper to be more active. We need our net-front guy to take away eyes better and do drive-by screens and make more plays from the goal line.

“It’s everybody doing their job better, and I think as soon as they start doing that more consistently, like the goal we scored, it’s a great entry and it’s an attack mind-set right off the entry. Marchy could have just pulled up and given it to [Charlie McAvoy], but instead he took two steps in and then [Coyle’s] open, so it’s got to be more natural like that. And consistent.”

At Monday’s session, Montgomery had

James van Riemsdyk working the net front on the first unit along with McAvoy at the point, Marchand and Pastrnak on the elbows. and Pavel Zacha in the bumper spot.

JVR has made a career out of cashing in on the power play with quick and soft hands. It’s been a struggle this year for the veteran, goalless since Feb. 17 and pointless since March 2.

Though van Riemsdyk (11 goals, 39 points in 69 games) has been in and out of the lineup, and recently has been skating on the fourth line, Montgomery likes what he’s seen lately. Giving van Riemsdyk a chance to spark the top power-play unit is a reflection of that.

“I don’t know how much of [his lack of scoring] is confidence,” said the coach. “It’s the first time in his career where he’s been in and out of the lineup, especially here in the last month, so that factors into it. But he needs to get used to that. And I felt his game has come along. His checking skills, playing fast, being on top of pucks. We’re seeing him get those chances again, which for a little stretch there he wasn’t getting those chances.”

Thunderous trio

The Bruins new third line of Jesper Boqvist centering Jake DeBrusk and Trent

Frederic has the potential to be a thunder and lightning trio, with Exhibit A being Boqvist’s overtime snipe Saturday.

Montgomery’s hope is that Boqvist’s speed can unlock the mini scoring slumps DeBrusk (7 games) and Frederic (5) are in.

“Just be tenacious. I thought JD had his best game in a long time last game, and I think Boqvist — his confidence just keeps rising. Now he’s up on the third line,” said Montgomery. “Freddy’s just got to be Freddy. He’s got to be a guy that’s heavy, that owns pucks below the goal line and plays with pace and emotion.”

Maroon on track

Pat Maroon (back surgery) practiced and is on track to make his Bruins debut Saturday night in Pittsburgh. “It’s looking good. He’s making the right steps,” said Montgomery. “As long as Friday’s practice and Saturday’s morning skate go well, then more than likely, yes.” . . . As for Justin Brazeau, the winger remains out after suffering what looked like a right arm injury in Nashville.