BOSTON – Matt Poitras has returned to the Boston Bruins, as he was recalled from the Providence Bruins and is set to play in the team’s 7 p.m. matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers tonight at TD Garden.
The 21-year-old forward has been performing well in the AHL, accumulating 24 points through 39 games this season, including eight goals and 16 assists. During the morning skate, he centered the third line, flanked by Mikey Eyssimont and Marat Khusnutdinov in preparation for tonight’s game.
Head coach Marco Sturm emphasized the importance of Poitras staying true to his style of play, stating, “I think first of all, he’s got to be himself. I don’t need to see anything special out of him. I want to see him go up and down, and play really good defensively.” Sturm noted that Poitras will have support from his line mate Khusnutdinov, allowing him to focus on his game.
The Bruins are dealing with some injury concerns, notably Elias Lindholm, who is day-to-day with an upper-body injury sustained during Tuesday’s victory over the Nashville Predators.
To date, Poitras has appeared in 66 NHL games for the Bruins, amassing 26 points with six goals and 20 assists. Reflecting on his approach moving forward, Poitras commented, “I think just simplifying my game. Trying to play fast and move my feet. When I simplify my game, the other stuff kind of just takes care of itself.”
As the Bruins gear up for their final home game before the Olympic break, they are riding a wave of success, having secured eight consecutive victories at TD Garden. Coach Sturm acknowledged the incredible support from fans, saying, “We feel it as a team. And that just helps us. Anytime the crowd is behind us, and of course, winning helps.”
This highlights the positive momentum both for Poitras as a returning player and the team as they continue to build on their home success. The energy from the crowd and the determination from the players could set the stage for an exciting match against the Flyers.