Bruins Notes: Matthew Poitras Takes Step Forward In Loss To Flyers

The Boston Bruins have no shortage of intriguing storylines to follow this upcoming season, including the return and development of 20-year-old Matthew Poitras, which made itself apparent during Saturday night’s 3-2 preseason overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Poitras is on a mission this year, fighting to prove himself worthy of a spot on Boston’s roster, fresh off the setback that was season-ending right shoulder surgery back in February. The playmaking forward with the potential to grow into an impactful difference-maker for years to come, tallied 15 points in 33 games during last season’s debut run with the Bruins and got right back to work at Wells Fargo Center.

During a Flyers power play in the second period, Poitras spotted an opening on a 2-on-1 break down Philadelphia’s side of the ice and netted a go-ahead goal to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead with 17:20 remaining in the frame. Poitras scored on Ivan Fedotov’s glove side and finished with three shots on goal, one short of the team lead (Hampus Lindholm, four), carrying on the bid for a roster spot with three preseason contests left to play until the official start of the regular season.

It was Poitras’ first preseason goal and could spark the impression needed to avoid starting the year down in Providence.

Poitras and the Bruins have the Flyers again, Los Angeles Kings and Washington Capitals left on the preseason schedule, giving the 2022 second-rounder some time left to continue working toward staying with the team for Oct. 8 and beyond.

Here are more notes from Saturday night’s Bruins-Flyers game:

— Joonas Korpisalo guarded the net for Boston, tallying 37 saves on 39 attempts in 61:55 on the ice, shining brighter than anyone else on the ice for the Bruins. Korpisalo maintained his composure and kept Boston within reach of a victory even though the team racked up seven penalties in regulation.

— Philadelphia’s young up-and-comer Matvei Michkov scored twice, including once with 1:08 left in overtime to secure a victory for the Flyers.

— The Bruins lost two leads within the first 40 minutes of regulation.

— Boston dropped to 1-0-3 in preseason play.

— The Bruins will return to the ice to host the Flyers at TD Garden on Tuesday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, and you can catch the game, plus an hour of pregame coverage, live on NESN.