Matthew Poitras was not on the ice at Bruins practice after taking a hit in Boston’s 3-2 shootout win over the Vegas Golden Knights.
The play came at 2:49 of the second period, when Poitras carried the puck through the neutral zone and then moved a cross-ice pass as he drifted near the benches. Braeden Bowman, lined up parallel to the Bruins center, made contact with Poitras’ head with his elbow and sent him down.
Poitras got himself off the ice and later returned wearing a full bubble shield, but he did not take another shift. He finished with 3:13 of ice time. Sean Kuraly skated on the fourth line at Bruins practice in his place.
Marco Sturm did not offer a postgame update. Bowman was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct, though Frank Seravalli reported that he has not received any further discipline.
Seravalli said Bowman kept his elbow close to his body, which is why the play is not being treated as elbowing. He also noted that the reverse angle shows Poitras skating into Bowman and that Poitras’ head is not “deemed to be the principal point of contact.”
The injury comes at a time when Poitras has carved out a meaningful role for Boston this season. The 22-year-old has 7 points in 12 NHL games and has been given more runway than he got in his previous two seasons in the organization, when he spent much more time with the Providence Bruins in the AHL.
Even in fourth-line minutes, he has been one of the Bruins’ more productive young players and sits inside Boston’s top 10 scorers. He is also 10th in the NHL in scoring per 60 minutes at 3.78, while averaging just under 10 minutes of ice time.
Poitras is playing this season on a one-year, two-way contract worth $850K as he tries to hold onto a full-time NHL job in 2026-27. Boston drafted him 54th overall in 2022, and he has appeared in 33 NHL games over the past two seasons before 2025-26, including just three NHL games before re-signing after his entry-level deal.
In Other News...
Bruins Suddenly Look Like A Real Threat In The Kucherov Race
If Nikita Kucherov ever reaches free agency, the Bruins would have to be taken seriously as a destination. The appeal is obvious: Boston can sell a chance to win right away, and the fit on paper is just as intriguing. Insiders have already pointed to how his game could slot into the lineup and give the power play another layer of danger, which is exactly the kind of pitch a contender would want ready if the market opens up.
What makes the conversation even more interesting is the way Kucherovs next move is being framed around more than money or geography. He is said to want a situation with a real Cup path and the chance to skate with another elite player, which narrows the field and raises the stakes for teams like Boston. If the Bruins can keep themselves in that tier, they suddenly become more than a speculative name in the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins New Alternate Sweater Brings Boston Pride And A Fan Debate
The Bruins have added a new look to their wardrobe, unveiling an alternate jersey called the Varsity Sweater as part of the NHL and Fanatics Hometown Remix series. The brown design leans into Bostons deep college hockey roots, with historical touches that make it feel tied to the city rather than just to the team, including a front number and the red-brick Freedom Trail worked into the hemline.
Boston will wear the sweater 12 times this season, giving fans plenty of chances to weigh in on a jersey that is already likely to spark debate. The first appearance comes Nov. 12 against the Canadiens, when the Bruins will also stage a Homecoming event, adding another layer of local flavor to a night that should feel as much about Boston identity as it does about the game itself. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Head Into A Key Test With Zadorov Drama Still Lingering
The Bruins are closing out a two-game homestand with a stiff test against Vegas, and the backdrop is still shaped by the leagues latest discipline on Nikita Zadorov. Bostons blue line has been under the microscope all week, and the timing is not ideal with a contender coming into TD Garden to finish off the set.
Zadorovs fine for roughing has added another layer of attention to a team that is trying to keep its focus on the ice rather than the noise around it. Around the league, there was also movement elsewhere with Shane Wright heading to Nashville in a one-for-one deal for Matthew Wood, while New Jersey sent goaltender Remi Poirier to Washington, but for the Bruins the immediate concern is whether the lingering Zadorov situation stays in the background long enough for the hockey to take center stage. [Read more 🡒]