The Bruins are hoping for reinforcements in the top 9 before the matchup with the Kings

The Boston Bruins are looking to make it two straight when they welcome the Los Angeles Kings to the TD Garden on Saturday afternoon, and they could have a key reinforcement in the lineup for the morning.

Matthew Poitras will likely return to the roster, in what would be the 20-year-old’s first regular-season game since Jan. 25. Poitras suffered a season-ending shoulder injury that he has been rehabbing all offseason.

“He’s very close, he’s progressing the right way,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said Friday, according to NHL.com. “I’m going to say it’s a possibility (Saturday). We just have to see how he responds later today.”

Poitras returned to practice Friday, skating on the third line along with Trent Frederic and Justin Brazeau. That’s likely where he’ll spend most of his time in 2024-25, potentially alongside the second powerplay unit that also includes Brazeau, Charlie Coyle, Morgan Geekie and Hampus Lindholm.

“I’m really excited,” Poitras said of his impending debut, per NHL.com. “Hopefully to get in the lineup and be able to play. It’s been a long time since I’ve played in a meaningful game. Preseason games mean something, you want to try to get ready for the season, but now it really means something. I just want to go out and play.”

Poitras had five goals and 15 points in his first 33 NHL games in 2023-24, and will look to build on that contribution in his first full year. The sophomore was selected in the second round, No. 54 overall by the Bruins in the 2022 draft.

The Bruins are looking for back-to-back wins

After a rough opening night against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, the Bruins bounced back Thursday night. They beat the Montreal Canadiens 6-4, with Jeremy Swayman making his return to the lineup and making 21 of 25 shots.

“It’s such an amazing thing to be playing again and in this building again. It’s a boatload of gratitude,” Swayman said after Thursday’s win.

The star goalkeeper continued: “I want to play every game. I want to be in the net every chance I get. So I’m excited to get this opportunity. I have different tactics to get in the game: obviously being vocal with the and talking to the refs and doing my thing, bringing my swagger, my calmness to the building and I know that’s when I play my best.”

Swayman will be back between the pipes when Boston faces its first non-division foe, with the Kings making the trip from Western New York after beating the Buffalo Sabers in their season opener on Thursday. Anze Kopitar led the Kings 1-0, scoring a natural hat trick in the third period in the 3-1 victory.

Both clubs will look to make it back-to-back when the puck drops between the Bruins and the Kings in New England on Saturday afternoon.