After sustaining an unexplained injury during training camp, the young Bruins forward is slated to make his regular season debut.
“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 is aiming to become the third winger to play on the Bruins’ checking line in as many games. He’s the latest option among a group that features 6-foot-3, 222-pound left winger Max Jones and 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward Riley Tufte. While Poitras doesn’t match their physical size, he believes he can contribute his own unique skills to the line.
“We’ve got a lot of big guys on this team, especially with Freddie and Braz,” said Poitras. “They can work in the corners and hold onto the puck. For me, it’s about finding open ice. I won’t shy away from the corners, but it’s great having some big bodies out there.”
Entering with more NHL experience seemed to give Poitras an extra boost in preseason play, and it showed.
“I liked his game at training camp,” said coach Montgomery. “His puck possession, support on offense and defense were impressive. He still needs to improve on checking faster defensively. That transition needs to become automatic.”
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Selected by the Bruins in the second round (54th overall) of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Poitras made the team’s opening night roster as a 19-year-old rookie. He recorded his first NHL point with an assist on a Frederic goal in his debut game and 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, where he tallied two goals and two assists in five games. Returning to Boston at the start of 2024, he was sidelined by a shoulder injury that eventually required surgery. He wrapped up his rookie season with five goals and 15 points in 33 games.
Now, Poitras looks ready to regain his momentum, having scored a shorthanded goal in three preseason games before the setback.
“I’ve just felt better and better as the preseason progressed,” Poitras said. “Being a bit older and having those first 30 games under my belt, my confidence has grown. I’m more comfortable holding onto the puck and trying to make plays.”
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