Matthew Poitras is’very close’ to returning for the Bruins.
Originally posted at Boston Hockey Now.
By Christopher Hurley | Last updated: 10/11/24
BRIGHTON — The Bruins are expecting to receive an extra boost this weekend by adding Matthew Poitras to the lineup.
After sustaining an unexplained injury during training camp, the young Bruins forward is slated to make his regular season debut against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday afternoon.
“He’s very close,” remarked Boston Bruins coach Jim Montgomery. “He is making good progress. I have to admit that he is a potential for tomorrow. We’ll see how he responds later today.”
Poitras, a 5-foot-11, 181-pound center, took an active role in Friday’s practice. He seemed upbeat as he skated on a line with Trent Fredric and right winger Justin Brazeau. He even led his team down the final stretch before exiting the ice.
“Obviously, I’m really excited,” Poitras, 20, stated. “Hopefully, I’ll be in the lineup and get to play.” It’s been a while since I played a meaningful game. Preseason games clearly signify something. You want to prepare for the season, but it now means something. “I just want to get out there.”
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Poitras hopes to become the third winger to skate on the Bruins’ checking line in as many games. He is the newest addition to a large group that includes 6-foot-3, 222-pound left winger Max Jones and 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward Riley Tufte. While not as physically intimidating as either of those two, Poitras believes he can contribute his own distinct set of skills to the line.
“We’ve got a lot of big boys on this team, especially playing with Freddie and Braz,” Poitras explained. “Those guys can get in the corners. They’re large guys who cling on to the puck. For me, it’s simply finding open ice. I’m not going to avoid the corners either, but it’s good to have some big dudes out there.”
With more NHL experience, the kid appeared to take a stride forward this preseason. And it showed.
“I like where he was during training camp,” Montgomery said. “Just his puck possession game, as well as his offensive and defensive puck support. Where he probably has to improve defensively is checking faster. That has to become quick, just like his transition.”
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The Bruins selected the rookie in the second round (54th overall) of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, and he made his NHL debut as a 19-year-old. The center recorded his first NHL point in his debut game, assisting on a Frederic goal. He scored his first two NHL goals later that month, in a 3-1 victory over Anaheim on October 22.
Poitras continued to impress while on loan to Team Canada for the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. In five games at the tournament, the pivot scored two goals and assisted twice. He returned to Boston at the beginning of 2024 before suffering a shoulder ailment that necessitated surgery. Poitras finished his first season with five goals and fifteen points in 33 games.
Poitras appears to be ready to continue up where he left off, having scored a shorthanded goal in three preseason games prior to his injury.
“I just felt better and better as the preseason has been going on,” said the coach. “Obviously, as I’ve gotten older and completed my first 30 games, my confidence has grown. I’m more comfortable holding onto pucks and attempting to make plays.
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