Bruins forward close to return; potentially available for Saturday’s game vs. Kings
Bruins forward Matthew Poitras is inching closer to returning to the team.
After missing the end of training and the first two games of the regular season with an undisclosed injury, the Bruins’ young forward is close to returning to the lineup, head coach Jim Montgomery told reporters on Friday afternoon.
He participated on Thursday, where he didn’t have to wear a red jersey during practice.
“Poitras is continuing to make his steps that we go through,” Montgomery said to reporters.
Poitras practiced on the third line at center with Trent Frederic and Justin Brazeau on Friday afternoon. If the Bruins activate Poitras on Saturday, it will require a roster move. The team could demote Riley Tufte, who has played on Thursday night, logging 9:21 minutes of ice time.
The 20-year-old Poitras hasn’t played since Jan. 25; he had shoulder surgery that ended his rookie campaign. Poitras finished the season with five goals and 10 assists in 33 games for the B’s.
“I want to be here,” Poitras said last month to reporters. “I want to be able to show that I belong here, and they don’t really have a choice. They gotta keep me here.”
Following having surgery, Poirtas focused on getting stronger; he is now listed at 181 pounds.
“I definitely feel stronger and not to the point where I added weight and I slowed down,” he said last month. “I’m the same speed, if not a bit faster. The extra weight might help in those corner battle situations.”
If Poitras returns to the Bruins lineup, he will provide a boost to the third line. His speed will be a factor and an asset to the team, in addition to offering offensive punch to the bottom six of the line.
