Boston Bruins Intentional with Matt Poitras Long-Term Plan

The 19-year-old center was a healthy scratch Thursday night, but is expected to be back in the lineup Saturday afternoon against the Arizona Coyotes.

The Boston Bruins are being intentional with the way they utilize rookie center Matt Poitras.

Poitras was a healthy scratch for the first time this season Thursday night against the Buffalo Sabres. Despite getting thrown up to the ninth floor of TD Garden, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery insists Poitras’ absence is all part of a plan to maximize the 19-year-old’s performance rather than a punishment.

“Something we’ve been discussing is trying to put him in situations to have a lot of success. So this was planned, he’ll be back in the lineup on Saturday,” Montgomery said Thursday following the 3-1 loss. “This is an opportunity for him to build some strength and rest into his program.”

Poitras, who had recently been skating with James van Riemsdyk and Trent Frederic, has 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 24 games, and four points in his last 10. During Friday’s practice, Montgomery went back to the third line of Poitras, Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen.

While in-game experience and learning on the fly is key for first-year players, the heightened demands of the NHL can weigh heavy. Between travel and tight scheduling, Montgomery said the Bruins are adjusting their ‘Poitras Plan’ to ensure the best production from the pivot.

“The plan that we’ve laid out is something that we’re going to have constant dialogue with him and everybody involved that came up with the plan. Just to make sure that if we need to tweak it, we’ll tweak it,” Montgomery said Friday.

Johnny Beecher, Boston’s other rookie center and Poitras’ new roommate, talked about the transition to the league and its challenges with The Hockey News on Tuesday.

“I think that’s something that once you’re playing pro for a couple years, you get used to the schedule a little more,” Beecher said. “I mean, it’s a grind, you’re playing three or four games a week sometimes. You’re on the road and you’re getting back late.”

The 22-year-old fourth-liner was also scratched for the first time this season Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. While Montgomery cited a fall-off in Beecher’s play and not rest as the reason for the scratch, Beecher and Poitras are both working through the highs and lows of becoming a pro.

Montgomery likened the Bruins’ planning with Poitras to the Anaheim Ducks’ use of No. 2 overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, Leo Carlsson, in his rookie campaign with the club. Of Anaheim’s 26 games, Carlsson has skated in 18 and posted 13 points (eight goals, five assists). The load management, while it cuts down on wanted playing time, is focused on the long-term dominance of the player.

A well-rested Poitras will be back in the lineup for Saturday’s matinee matchup with the Arizona Coyotes at TD Garden, but Montgomery said more nights off will be scheduled for the youngster down the stretch.