Bruins Loving Improvement From ‘Better And Better’ Matt Poitras

BOSTON — The Bruins were left holding their collective breath just halfway through the first period of their matchup with the New York Rangers on Saturday.

Matt Poitras went down with what appeared to be an injury, taking a cross-check to the back from Ryan Lindgren that left him lying on the ice at TD Garden. The B’s have seen similar things happen before, with the second-year forward’s young career being marred by injuries and inconsistencies.

Poitras flipped the script, though.

The Bruins didn’t have to worry about the 20-year-old tucking his tail, as the hit seemed to only further his desire to make plays near the boards and help set up his teammates for success — which he did. Poitras finished the victory with two assists, both of which came after prying away pucks and feeding David Pastrnak.

It’s something the club has been looking for.

“It’s a good bounce back by Matty,” Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco said on Saturday. “He gets up, he handles the hit well, he shakes it off like hockey players do and he responded well, too… It’s good to see him go out there and be able to make a nice play to (David Pastrnak) on his first goal. I’m happy for him, just a really good job by him getting out there at a critical time and making a big play — twice!”

Boston is well aware that opponents are going to be physical with Poitras, but as he continues to put on weight and build strength, they’re hoping he can continue to bounce back the way he did Saturday.

“It’s tough because you have to allow guys to play with the confidence to make those plays,” Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy said postgame, referring to Poitras. “… It’s tough. You have to walk that line between playing a smart brand, but seeing a guy like that, you encourage him to make the plays he can because he has the skill.

“He doesn’t get flustered, even though teams are going to play him hard because he’s not the biggest guy. He bounces back, he works hard and he makes plays. He wants to own the puck, he plays a puck possession game for someone his size and he’s getting better and better.”

The Bruins obviously are putting him in positions to succeed, as his primary skating partners following penalty kills are Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie.

Not bad.

Poitras has been capitalizing, too, with another two-assist performance likely setting him up for increased opportunities with the big guns — especially if he can work through the pain as he did against New York.

“I just kept doing my thing,” Poitras said postgame. “I just kept playing.”