Bruins Forward Exits Islanders Tilt After Scary Collision

The Boston Bruins finished the second period against the New York Islanders on Thursday short a forward.

Matthew Poitras logged 7:08 of ice time across 11 shifts before taking an awkward hit into the open door of the Islanders’ bench from Brock Nelson.

New York’s backup goaltender Jakub Skarek, who had his back to the play, opened the bench door to assist his teammates making line changes at the exact moment Nelson ran Poitras into the area.

Nelson was originally called for a five-minute major, but after review, the penalty was downgraded to a two-minute interference call.

Poitras laid awkwardly in the doorway before being helped off the ice by the Bruins’ and Islanders’ trainers. The incident occurred with 1:36 remaining in the second period, with the Bruins trailing by a pair of goals. The Bruins announced before the beginning of the third period that Poitras was “unlikely to return” with a lower-body injury.

The 20-year-old Ontario native has one goal and 11 assists across 28 games for the Bruins this season. Poitras started the season with the Bruins, scoring a goal and adding three assists in 14 games before being sent to Providence. He looked better in the AHL, compiling 8-12-20 totals in 23 games with the Baby B’s.