David Pastrnak Reacts To Bruins Forward’s Unnecessary Injury

The Boston Bruins finished their game against the New York Islanders on Thursday night short a forward.

Matthew Poitras exited the game late in the second period after taking an awkward hit into the open gate of the Islander’s bench from Brock Nelson with 1:36 remaining in the frame.

The Bruins announced Poitras would be “unlikely to return” with a lower-body injury before the start of the third period and following the 2-1 loss, interim head coach Joe Sacco couldn’t provide much of an update in the 20-year-old Ontario native.

“I don’t have an update yet,” Sacco said, per team-provided audio. “I will have something more tomorrow morning.”

Nelson was lining up to hit Poitras in front of the Islanders’ bench when backup goalie Jakub Skarek opened the door at the far end of the bench during his team’s line change. With the gate open, Nelson drove Poitras into the corner of the open gap.

“It’s unfortunate,” David Pastrnak told reporters, as seen on NESN’s postgame coverage. “As a player, you make sure the door is always closed. So, you don’t want to see that and you definitely don’t want to see that push around the doors. Hopefully, Matty is going to be alright, but I haven’t seen him.”

The Bruins are already missing Trent Frederic, who was injured in Tuesday’s overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sacco said Frederic is considered week-to-week with a lower-body injury and Frederic was spotted wearing a walking boot at Warrior Ice Arena.

The Bruins reportedly placed Oliver Wahlstrom on waivers before the Islanders game, so if Poitras is out for any length of time, Boston will probably recall a forward from Providence. before back-to-back games against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota Wild this weekend.