DeBrusk appeared to be injured just prior to scoring his first goal around the eight-minute mark of the third period when he was hit by a Matt Grzelcyk slapper. Just seconds later, however, he tied the game before going on to score again with 2:24 remaining to secure the B's victory.
"I did not know that he was actually hurt at all," said Montgomery. "I saw him wince when he took the shot but then he scored right after…I used him in the last minute of play. I was trying to get him his hat trick for the empty net. I did not have any issue or think that there was anything wrong, possibly, with him."
Montgomery added that his comments after the game during which he complimented DeBrusk for his toughness were in reference to his overall performance and not the injury.
"I still had no awareness that he may be injured when I went up and said that," said Montgomery. "And I was talking more, not so much the physical toughness but the mental toughness that he has. He plays with two superstars [Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron], elite players in the league - and he makes me laugh…he has the ability to inject humor when he knows it's time to dig in, which I appreciate."
Losing DeBrusk is no doubt a blow for the Bruins as the 26-year-old has been putting forth the best season of his six-year career with 16 goals and 30 points through 36 games. Without his top-line right winger, Montgomery said he will shift David Pastrnak back up to his familiar spot alongside Marchand and Bergeron.
Pavel Zacha, meanwhile, will flip over to his off-side - a position he has played in spots this season - to skate with Taylor Hall and David Krejci.
"We used him as a left winger early in the season and then when he moved to right wing, I actually think he made more plays," Montgomery said of Zacha. "In Europe, they tend to play the off side more than they do the strong side, so he's very comfortable playing either."
