In a surprising turn of events, Matthew Poitras' return to the Boston Bruins is set to happen sooner than anticipated, thanks to Canada's unexpected exit from the IIHF World Junior Championship in Sweden.
On Tuesday, Canada faced a disappointing defeat against Czechia in the quarterfinals, with Jakub Stacl securing a game-winning goal just 11 seconds before the buzzer, resulting in a 3-2 victory for Czechia. Poitras, who had an impressive tournament, notched two goals and two assists, totaling four points in five games. Meanwhile, Macklin Celebrini from Boston University wrapped up the championship with an impressive tally of four goals and four assists, amassing eight points.
The Bruins had granted Poitras permission to participate in the World Juniors, seeing it as a win-win scenario for the rookie to represent his country and further develop his skills. As he returns to the Bruins, the question lingers: will the 19-year-old hit the ice for Boston's upcoming clash against the Pittsburgh Penguins at TD Garden on Thursday?
Bruins coach Jim Montgomery addressed the situation, stating,
"I think he gets back (Wednesday), and then he starts to assimilate back into the group."
However, the timeline for his return to play remains uncertain due to the sudden turn of events.
Montgomery faced the press shortly after Canada's loss, shedding light on the intricacies of Poitras' reintegration into the Bruins' lineup. The coach is confronted with challenging decisions, particularly considering the excellent performance of the Trent Frederic, James van Riemsdyk, and Danton Heinen line, along with the recent call-up of Georgii Merkulov following his impressive month in the AHL. The Bruins' roster dynamics are poised for an intriguing shift as Poitras makes his prompt return to the team.
