Bruins appear set for boost to forward group

The Bruins could be set for a big boost — albeit from one of their smallest players — Saturday with the potential return to action and season debut of forward Matt Poitras. “He’s very close," Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery said following Friday's practice when asked for an update on Poitras. "He’s progressing the right way. I’m gonna say he’s a possibility for [Saturday]. We just gotta see how he responds later today.” Injured late in the preseason (most likely on a hit from the Flyers' Rasmus Ristolainen during their preseason head-to-head in Philly), Poitras ditched the non-contact sweater earlier this week, and was a full go for what was a strong practice at Brighton's Warrior Ice Arena. Entering the season, there had been some belief that Poitras was a legitimate candidate to begin the year in Providence given the fact that it's now an option for the club after last year's NHL-or-juniors situation for the crafty forward. But Poitras once again played like someone who had no interest in playing anywhere but the NHL, and ultimately beat out some noteworthy challengers for a role on the Big B's, namely 2024 AHL All-Star Georgii Merkulov and 2021 first-round pick Fabian Lysell. “I liked where [Poitras] was in training camp when he was playing the games," Montgomery said. "Just his puck-possession game and his puck support offensively and defensively. Where he probably has to grow is defensively. Just checking faster. That has to become instantaneous like his transition offense." Confidence has never been an issue for the 20-year-old Poitras. In fact, from the moment the B's took him with a second-round pick, Poitras made it clear that he's a player that loves to muck it up in corners and score 'greasy' goals. A smiling Poitras, who underwent season-ending shoulder surgery last season and feels stronger now than he did back then, noted that he's still more than willing to go into corners. But he'll have some definite help on that front Saturday, with Poitras slated to skate between Trent Frederic and Justin Brazeau on Boston's third line. “We’ve got a lot of big boys on this team," Poitras noted. "If I’m playing with Freddy and Brazeau, those guys can get in the corners and hold on to pucks, so for me it’s just about finding open ice." The return to action for Poitras could be a true X-factor for the Bruins this season in the sense that this year's roster is undeniably bigger and at times a bit more 'plodding' looking in the attacking zone, making his unique skillset of speed and craftiness with the puck on his stick something that could and should attract the attention of the opposition and open things up for cleaner looks from the "big boys." Poitras is coming off a 2023-24 campaign that featured five goals and 15 points, along with 40 shots on goal and 17 hits, in 33 games for the Bruins.