Brunet prepares for Bruins return; Poitras practises with broken nose
Boston paired Frederic Brunet with Mason Lohrei again while Matt Poitras completed practice ahead of the trip to Pittsburgh.
Frederic Brunet could rejoin Boston’s defence against Pittsburgh on Thursday after sitting out since the Bruins’ Oct. 27 loss to Carolina. He worked alongside Mason Lohrei in each of Boston’s past two practices, the club reported Wednesday.
Coach Marco Sturm described the time out of the lineup as a chance for Brunet to review his play and recover the form he showed earlier in his rookie season. Brunet said faster decisions with the puck are a priority as he prepares to return. He has a goal and three assists in 10 games.
Matt Poitras also took part in Wednesday’s full practice, wearing a protective bubble shield. He said his nose was broken by the elbow he took from Vegas forward Braeden Bowman on Monday and had since been reset.
Poitras is travelling with the Bruins to Pittsburgh, but his availability remains uncertain. Sturm said the staff would assess him again Thursday. Poitras had missed Tuesday’s skate after leaving Monday’s game.
Boston visits the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.
