To say the Boston Bruins’ season opener against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night in South Florida was a disappointment would be an understatement. First Florida raised their Stanley Cup Championship flag, then they went out and blew the Black and Gold with four goals in the first period.

To complicate matters, the Panthers proved they were already on the Bruins’ minds by drawing Boston into penalties and making them play undisciplined hockey. It all added up to a 6-4 win for the defending champions. Now, six days later, the Bruins get another shot at their new Atlantic Division rivals, this time at the TD Garden, looking to put together a better 60 minutes than they had in the opener. If so, head coach Jim Montgomery has a clear message for success.

Jim Montgomery has a clear message ahead of the Panthers rematch

On Sunday at Warrior Ice Arena, the Bruins held an optional skate. After a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings, it wasn’t surprising that the third-year Boston coach made it an optional skate. Montgomery then met with the media and shared what his team needs to do to have more success against the Panthers on Monday afternoon.

‘We have to start playing hockey again’ said Montgomery. “I love that we have emotions and that they are a rival. But at the same time we have to be disciplined. We take too many penalties.”

On Tuesday night, Trent Frederic took a penalty when Matthew Tkachuk baited him into a penalty and started fighting, but the problem was the Florida forward chose not to drop the gloves. Later in the opening period, Nikita Zadorov took a penalty in a scrum that gave the Panthers another power play.

I understand the frustration Boston has against Florida since the Panthers knocked them out of the postseason for two straight seasons, but they need to put it behind them and just play hockey. Staying out of the box is almost a must on Monday.