The Boston Bruins are continuing to develop as a team, and Coach Jim Montgomery has a variety of line combinations to consider beyond the first line.
The team’s upcoming matchup is against the Los Angeles Kings at 1 p.m. on Saturday, broadcast on NESN. Montgomery mentioned that Matt Poitras could potentially return for this important game if he responds positively to Friday’s full practice. Signs suggest that Poitras, who has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury, may make his season debut.
During Friday’s practice, Poitras centered a line alongside Trent Frederic and Justin Brazeau. As is typical for a player recovering from injury, he also led the team stretch at the end of the session.
If the 20-year-old Poitras is ready to play, his return would bolster the third line and mark his first competitive game since his promising rookie season was cut short after 33 games due to a shoulder injury that required significant surgery.
“It’s been a long time since I played a game that’s meaningful,” Poitras stated. “Preseason games matter as you prepare for the season, but now it really counts.”
Poitras was initially considered a candidate for a season start in the AHL, as noted by General Manager Don Sweeney at the start of training camp. However, he had a strong camp until suffering his injury, which earned him a spot on the main roster.
Montgomery praised Poitras for his game during training camp, highlighting his offensive and defensive puck possession skills. However, he emphasized the need for Poitras to improve his defensive checking speed.
Despite being shorter in stature at 5-foot-11, Poitras has gained muscle during his offseason rehabilitation and strength training, contributing to his overall improvement. He expressed how the added strength has made him feel more confident on the ice.
“I just felt better and better as the preseason went on. With those initial games under my belt, my confidence continues to grow. I’m more comfortable with puck possession and making plays,” Poitras said. “I feel stronger and faster. I may not be the strongest guy, but I feel capable of going into the corners with anyone.”
He noted that playing alongside larger teammates like the 6-foot-5 Brazeau and the 6-foot-3 Frederic further boosts his confidence.
“We’ve got a lot of big guys on this team. Playing with Freddy and Braz, those guys can hold onto pucks in the corners, so my job is to find open ice,” Poitras explained. “I won’t shy away from corners, but having bigger players makes things easier.”
Regarding practice, it seems that Mason Lohrei will reunite with Andrew Peeke on defense. While the second line of Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle, and Morgan Geekie has shown energy in the early games, they have not yet scored. Montgomery is still assessing this line.
“It’s been good so far, but it’s too early to draw conclusions. Their start in the Montreal game set a positive tone, and they drew a penalty right away,” Montgomery said. “I’m pleased with them, but I believe there’s more potential to unlock.”
Additionally, the Bruins have placed defenseman Ian Mitchell on waivers.