Matthew Poitras Is ‘Very Close’ To Returning For Bruins

BRIGHTON – The Bruins are hoping to get an added push adding Matthew Poitras to the lineup, this weekend.

After suffering an undisclosed injury during training camp, the young Bruins forward is expected to make his regular season debut in Saturday’s matinee against the Los Angeles Kings.

“He’s very close,” said Bruins coach Jim Montgomery. “He’s progressing in the right way. I’ve got to say he’s a possibility for tomorrow. We just have to see how he responds later today.”

A 5-foot-11, 181-pound center, Poitras was an active participant in Friday’s practice. Skating on a line flanked by Trent Fredric and right winger Justin Brazeau, he appeared in great spirits. He even led his team in the final stretch, before leaving the ice.

“Obviously, I’m really excited,” said Poitras, 20. “Hopefully I’m in the lineup and get to play. It’s been a long time playing a game that’s meaningful. Preseason games obviously mean something. You want to get ready for the season, but now it really means something. I just want to get out there.”

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Poitras is shooting to be the third winger to skate on the Bruins checking line in as many games. He is the latest in a big 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 imposing as either of those two, Poitras feels he can bring his own unique blend of skill to the line.

“We’ve got a lot of big boys on this team, especially playing with Freddie and Braz,’ said Poitras. “Those guys can get into the corners. They’re big guys who hold onto the puck. For me, it’s just finding open ice. I’m not going to shy away from the corners either, but it’s nice to have some big boys out there.”

Coming in with a little more NHL seasoning seemed to give the youngster an added step this preseason play. And it showed.

“I like where he was in training camp,” said Montgomery. “Just his puck possession game, his puck support offensively and deferentially. Where he probably has to grow defensively is checking faster. That naturally has to become instantaneous, like his transition.”

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Drafted by the Bruins in the second round (54th overall) in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, the rookie cracked the Bruins opening night lineup as a 19-year-old. The center picked up his first NHL point in his first game, assisting on a Frederic goal. He netted his first two NHL goals later that month in a 3–1 win against Anaheim, Oct. 22.

Poitras continued to light it up while on loan to Team Canada for the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. The pivot registered two goals and two assists in five games during the tourney. He returned to Boston at the start of 2024, before suffering the shoulder injury, which ultimately required surgery. Poitras ended his rookie season with five goals and 15 points in 33 games.

Poitras appears poised to pick up right where he left off, scoring a shorthanded goal in three preseasons games, before suffering the injury.

“I just felt better and better as the preseason has been going on,” he added. “Obviously being a little bit older and having that first 30 games under my belt, my confidence just grows and grows. I’m more comfortable holding onto pucks and just trying to make plays.”

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