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Matt Poitras’s availability for Bruins’ season opener unclear after latest injury
Matt Poitras has not played in a preseason game so far this week due to an undisclosed injury.
The Bruins will open the 2024-25 regular season on Tuesday night against the defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers.
It remains to be seen if Matt Poitras will be out on the ice with the rest of his teammates at Amerant Bank Arena.
The 20-year-old forward was trending toward a roster spot through the first week of preseason action, showing little hesitancy following shoulder surgery in February.
But Poitras has been hindered by an undisclosed injury that has kept him off the ice the last few days, with Jim Montgomery tabbing him as “day-to-day” moving forward.
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After Poitras missed practice yet again on Friday, Montgomery acknowledged that the young forward’s status for Tuesday remains murky.
“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,” Montgomery said. “I’m just not sure.”
Montgomery added that this recent ailment won’t hold sway over whether or not Poitras opens the year with Boston or Providence.
“I don’t think his availability is gonna affect whether he starts the season here (in Boston) or not,” Montgomery said.
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Even though Boston now has the option to assign Poitras to Providence for additional seasoning, he dispelled some of that notion this fall with strong play out of the gate.
Through three preseason contests, the forward tallied a goal and landed five shots on goal. A natural center, Poitras’ shift to the wing during preseason action increased his chances of landing a spot on the NHL roster.
But one of the learning curves that Poitras has had to overcome at the NHL ranks is steering himself away from heavy hits. That sentiment was reinforced in his final preseason game against the Flyers last weekend when he was trucked over by Philly defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen at the end of regulation.
He has not returned to game action since that heavy hit.
Last Sunday, Montgomery gave his current assessment of Poitras’ play so far during preseason action.
“Good. And the reason I don’t say great is because I think he’s a little hesitant in some areas of his game still, and that’s normal. He’s been out for 8 months, but you see it coming back more and more.”
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