Matthew Poitras seemed to suffer a setback less than a week before the Boston Bruins' season opener, and it came at a disappointing time as the young forward tried to cement a role for himself.
Jim Montgomery said this week that the 20-year-old was "day-to-day" with an undisclosed injury. It wasn't clear if he suffered the injury in the last game he played Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers, but he was out of the lineup Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings.
Poitras said this offseason that his goal was to make it difficult for the Bruins when deciding if they want to send him to Providence to get more seasoning. General manager Don Sweeney and Montgomery constantly are evaluating the roster, but the head coach didn't seem worried about Poitras' spot in the lineup.
"I don't think his availability is gonna affect whether he starts the season here (in Boston) or not," Montgomery told reporters Friday, per team-provided video.
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On his availability for Tuesday, Montgomery added: "I can't say yes or no. He's day-to-day, so he's not back yet. In fairness to him, if he does come back say (Saturday), he's gonna have a practice, a practice Monday and then play Tuesday. I'm just not sure."
Montgomery's comments should assure fans that Poitras will start the 2024-25 season in Boston. The forward tested out as a right wing this preseason, but he slots in well as a third-line center if that's what Montgomery and the coaching staff envision for him. No matter where he slots in the lineup, he'll look to build off the potential he flashed in his rookie season.
Featured image via Alex Gallardo/Imagn Images
