Bruins’ van Riemsdyk skating confidently against former team

James van Riemsdyk’s game seemed to slow down toward the end of the Bruins’ regular season. Returning to the lineup for Boston’s last two games against the Toronto Maple Leafs — both wins — the veteran forward had his legs, and confidence, back under him.

van Riemsdyk opened the scoring for the Bruins, taking advantage of a Maple Leafs turnover in front and flipping the puck to his backhand to beat Ilya Samsonov between his legs.

That was van Riemsdyk’s first goal since the middle of February. And, for at least this playoff series, it was a tangible reward for the less noticeable impact he’s made since his return to the lineup.

“He’s been terrific, he’s getting to spots, he’s winning races to goal lines to get possession and making a lot of great subtle plays,” Montgomery said. “That’s a big time move by a great goal scorer on that first goal.”

van Riemsdyk was growing frustrated in his own play, but a goal in the playoffs against the team he used to play for might be the exact moment he needed to get over the hump.

“Towards the second half of the year, I felt a little snake-bit at times,” van Riemsdyk told reporters after the game. “I’d like to think I was saving them for the times in the playoffs, so I’ll definitely take it if that was the trade-off. But, you just try to stick with it. Have a good process day in, day out, and not get too far ahead of yourself.”

van Riemsdyk spent six seasons with Toronto from 2012-18. It sure seems like he’s enjoying his time on the other side of the bench a little bit more, as Boston looks to clinch the first-round series in Boston on Tuesday.