Matt Poitras faces another test, and Jim Montgomery has updates on Fabian Lysell and Ian Mitchell. Check out the projected lines ahead of Tuesday night's game against Washington.
BRIGHTON, Mass. – One day after losing 3-1 to the Philadelphia Flyers, the Boston Bruins will host the Washington Capitals at TD Garden on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. ET (TV: NESN | Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub).
The Bruins practiced at Warrior Ice Arena ahead of Tuesday’s matchup. Here is how they lined up:
Brad Marchand - Matt Poitras - Trent Frederic
James van Riemsdyk - Pavel Zacha - David Pastrnak
Milan Lucic - Johnny Beecher - Jakub Lauko
Trevor Kuntar - Jayson Megna - Danton Heinen
Mason Lohrei - Charlie McAvoy
Matt Grzelcyk - Jakub Zboril
Derek Forbort - Kevin Shattenkirk
Linus Ullmark
Brandon Bussi
First Power Play Unit:
van Riemsdyk
Pastrnak - Zacha - Marchand
McAvoy
Second Power Play Unit
Lucic
Heinen - Poitras - Shattenkirk
Lohrei
After a strong performance during Monday’s loss in Philadelphia, Matt Poitras returns to the lineup for the second leg of the back-to-back. It will be a real test for the 19-year-old, who will sample the rigors of an NHL schedule.
“It’s nothing I’m not used to,” Poitras said. “Playing Juniors, we’ll play three games in three nights, or three games in just over 48 hours, so it’s not something that I’m not used to.”
Poitras had the secondary assist on Boston’s only goal on Monday, scored by Morgan Geekie on the power play. He also had a strong night at the face-off dot (8/11) after struggling against the same Philly team on Friday (5/16).
He said he felt underprepared on Friday, and made sure he practiced more draws on Monday morning. Poitras also said he could pick up some of the Flyers’ tendencies, which led to the turnaround.
“That shows you a high-end brain,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said. “Someone that ‘thinks’ the game and also is a student of the game.”
Poitras continues to build a case for himself to make the opening night roster, and if he does, the Bruins can play him for up to nine games before sending him back down to Guelph in the OHL without burning off a year of his entry-level contract.
“I think it’s really helpful because that does give you a little bit of an extended training camp,” Montgomery said.
Bruins captain Brad Marchand will skate on Poitras’ wing on Tuesday, and he had quite the praise for him.
“He reminds me a lot of [Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch] Marner, the way that he plays,” Marchand said. “He’s smart on both sides of the puck. He’s really good with it, the way he moves. He can dish it.”
Another top prospect getting an extended look is defenseman Mason Lohrei. The 22-year-old Ohio State product will skate on a pair with Charlie McAvoy again, and also get the chance to play the point on the second power play unit.
“He’s done some really good things in the games he’s played,” Montgomery said. “We want him to continue to be assertive defensively and offensively.”
While Poitras and Lohrei have their chance to solidify their fate – in one way or another – on Tuesday, Montgomery shared his thoughts on some other players who won’t take the ice against Washington.
Fabian Lysell’s camp performance has been underwhelming, and while Montgomery feels he’s displayed his skill in some moments, the production has lagged behind.
“He’s drafted to be a skilled offensive player, and in order to be a skilled offensive player, you got to produce,” Montgomery said. “We haven’t seen the production yet.”
Ian Mitchell, who has impressed with his ability to jump into the offensive picture and is making a run for the team’s seventh defenseman spot, has stood out to Montgomery, but he wants to see more production come from his play as well.
“He’s done some really good things offensively, but again, that hasn’t materialized into offense for us,” Montgomery said.
With two preseason games remaining and the regular NHL players becoming more integrated on the roster with each game, Marchand is looking forward to seeing the chemistry start to form after he spent most of training camp bouncing between different lines.
“It’s just good to get back with the whole team,” Marchand said. “When you’re kind of bouncing around between lines, the main thing to focus on is doing what you need to do to be good, and focus on playing the right way.”
“It’ll be really nice when we get down to our group, and these next two games should be good.”
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