Poitras doesn't want to go back to junior & more takeaways from Bruins' preseason opener

"Seeing that one go in definitely goes a long way to settle the nerves down and just get going," Poitras said. 

He added, "Obviously it's a lot different than what I'm used to. It's faster. Guys are bigger. Felt better as the game went on and felt more confident with the puck."

It's an uphill climb for the spry teenager. The right-shot center is the Bruins' best prospect down the middle, at least in terms of upside. His playmaking and hockey sense allowed him to have a 79-assist, 95-point run in the OHL last season before impressing at development and rookie camps. What's most encouraging is he does a lot of his damage in Grade-A ice, not from the perimeter, considering his "elusive" style. Montgomery appreciates the 5-foot-11, 176-pounder's willingness to compete in all areas.

"Not timid at all in any area," Montgomery said, citing a second-period sequence where Poitras dove to win a puck battle as a sign of his "competitive fire."

If he can't crack the big club out of camp, he'll return to Guelph, unable to play in the AHL because of an agreement between the NHL and CHL. 

Sunday was just a strong first impression. It helps when you play between two established top-six NHL wingers – the first few days of training camp were spent alongside David Pastrnak, too. 

It'll be incumbent upon him to keep stringing together strong outings if he wants to make it out of camp and earn the nine-game sample in the NHL before his entry-level deal kicks in. 

“It’s a big challenge,” Montgomery said. “It’s a man’s league out there. He didn’t see the NHL tonight. It’s a really good start. But that’s what he needs to do, right? He played a really good game. He’s going to get another game. If he keeps playing, he’ll continue to get rewarded. It would be a pleasant surprise if he was able to do it.”

Brandon Bussi is out to prove last year was no fluke

Bussi was flat-out fantastic in this one, picking up the shutout as he stole the show. A quick snapshot of his night, according to Natural Stat Trick:

• 29 saves
• 10/10 high-danger saves
• 10/10 medium-danger saves
• 0 low-danger shots against
• 3.03 expected goal against / 0 goals against

The 25-year-old told BSJ last week that a big focus for him over the summer was improving his quickness and his reaction, especially as a bigger goaltender (6-4, 226), and it proved worthwhile tonight. He made a number of high-end saves and did a great job of tracking pucks through traffic, squaring up shots and fluidly moving side to side. 

His best save of the night was a jaw-dropper, making a big push off his left to make a sprawling glove save on Jonny Brodzinski with the Bruins shorthanded in the third period. It was the headliner of a number of strong sequences for the late-blooming netminder on Sunday. His other highlights included another diving shorthanded save in the second period against Will Cuylle on the doorstep, denying Jimmy Vesey on a breakaway and stoning Alex Belzile from the slot, among others. 

“It was unreal. Honest to god — I thought he didn’t get it,” Montgomery said of Bussi's save. “It was a great play by them. But the fact that he read it? I mean, that’s a double-slot-line play. They go in at like 75 percent [of the time] because it's a yawning cage that someone's looking at. Brodzinski put it three-quarters of the way up the net. It wasn’t like a low glove and shot it in the glove. He went and snared it. It was big time.”

Montgomery added, "When he started the year ... they weren't sure what they had [in Maine and Providence]. Every time he went in nets, he kept making saves and saves and stole a lot of games. ... He wasn't a highly recruited player until his last year in junior hockey. Then he went to Western Michigan and he wasn't there very long. He's a late bloomer who just keeps getting better and better."

Bussi earned a standing ovation from the crowd for his efforts after the Brodzinski save. He understands the situation with Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman locked into NHL gigs. But if things keep up the way they are, the former Bronco can absolutely carve out a career as a good backup or 1B at the very least – in due time. He's out to prove that his All-Star caliber season as an AHL rookie last season was no flash in the pan after quickly ascending Boston's ranks. 

“I just came to training camp preparing for the first game of the season and to be the best I can be. That’s all I can control,” Bussi said. “Having the opportunity to practice with Sway and Linus is obviously awesome and being able to learn from them. I think their track record speaks for how skilled they are and what they’ve done. I think just being able to just ... show Boston what I have is just kind of a big thing."

You know what? I'm buying in on Johnny Beecher as 4C

Beecher made up one-third of a heavy, heavy line with A.J. Greer and Patrick Brown. None of the three didn't shy away from finishing every hit that presented itself. 

In addition to his tally, the 22-year-old saw plenty of shorthanded ice time, checking in with 3:55 on the penalty kill, second among Bruins forwards in this one. His range allowed him to cover plenty of ground, and his size helped him plenty in battles as he finished the night with two hits and two takeaways, leading Boston in the latter category. He also went 7-for-11 (63.6 percent) at the dot. 

“He had a good game,” Montgomery said. “He needs to continue to show it throughout camp. As camp goes on, it gets harder. The people that rise to the top are the ones that are going to make it. It's a really good start for several players tonight. They've got to keep building on it.”

Beecher's impressive skating and speed showed through on his goal. Slipped into a seam in the Rangers' defense off the rush before galloping into the zone and gaining separation rather easily and beating Quick five-hole with a nice finish. 

"It's huge. Just a confidence booster," Beecher said. "Obviously, everybody loves seeing the puck go in the back of the net. I think it's a big thing for me, just relying on my shot and all the training I had during the summer."

It was a goal that could go a long way in creating momentum for Beecher, who is firmly in the mix for the 4C spot early on in camp. If he can realize some of his offensive game that hasn't been there in the past, it'll be gravy. Otherwise, his speed, 200-foot game and willingness to throw his body around as an effective forechecker make him a good fit to be a bottom-six contributor. 

"I think if you're gonna play one of those bottom-six roles, then you really want to use a lot of speed and a lot physicality to kind of put their defense on their heels a little bit and open up ice for the other guys," Beecher said. "Just trying to get pucks behind them. If you have a hit, not passing it up. I think getting one year pro under my belt, it's definitely made me a lot more comfortable out there."

It also helps that he's a left-handed center, something Boston doesn't have a lot of outside of Pavel Zacha now that it seems that Trent Frederic will start on the wing. Montgomery noted last week that it's absolutely a factor in his chances to make the team. 

Anthony Richard impresses with his speed

It's probably a pretty safe bet that not many people at TD Garden Sunday night had heard of Richard before tonight. But the speedster had himself a solid preseason debut. 

Playing alongside Morgan Geekie and Frederic, Richard's speed complimented his two larger counterparts well, while his tenacity fit right in with the billing of the other two as well. Although Geekie and Frederic might have been among the veterans (a loose use of the term) "picking and choosing their spots," as Montgomery put it. 

Still, there was Richard, seemingly all over the ice. The 5-foot-11, 183-pound AHL journeyman kicked things off with a terrific give-and-go with Frederic in the first period, deking Quick before barely losing the handle and hitting the post on what should have been the game's opening goal. In the second period, showed good support of Frederic as he forced a turnover. Puck slipped right to Richard, who got a quick shot away and forced Quick to make a reactionary save. Wasn't afraid to throw his body around either.

The 26-year-old, a former fourth-rounder to Nashville, has spent the last six seasons mostly in the American League. He finished ninth in AHL scoring with 67 points and seventh in goals with 30 in 60 games last season with Laval, Montreal's affiliate. It was by far his best year as a pro. In 13 games with the Canadiens, he had three goals and two assists.

"Anthony Richard had a breakout year, offensively. He’s played games in the NHL. He has a great amount of speed and tenacity for a smaller player," Don Sweeney said of Richard on July 1. 

My initial reaction when the Bruins signed him was that he'd make for nice organizational depth and a fun player to watch in Providence alongside Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov – sort of a Kenny Agostino type. Good AHL scorer who hasn't been able to crack the next level. 

I'm still unsure if he's a legit candidate to crack the NHL roster, but his toolkit is one that could mesh well with Geekie and Frederic in that 3LW opening. I'm also not sure he's someone suited for fourth-line responsibilities. If he keeps showing well and can be trusted in his own end, then why not? Could make for a call-up at some point, too. I still have him tabbed for Providence, though.  

Closing thoughts...

• Awesome crowd for a preseason game. Pretty surprised at how packed (and loud) the Garden was for a rainy football Sunday evening in the preseason. 
• Interesting that NESN had Alex Faust (formerly of LA Kings broadcasts and Northeastern) in to do play-by-play. Looks like he'll be on select games this year during planned absences for Jack Edwards. Hmm...
• Quiet night for Fabian Lysell. Speed was evident but almost tried to do too much at times. Has to pick and choose his spots better, which is something the organization has talked about.
• Mike Callahan just plays a steady defensive game. No frills or flashes. Helped stifle plays and get the puck out. Could get some work as an injury call-up this year. Didn't notice him for the wrong reasons tonight. 
• Beecher had a solo audition for 4C toward the end of the night after Brown exited the game out of precaution. Brown was throwing his weight around early and often on Beecher's right side. 
• Thought Jakub Zboril made some nice stretch passes before exiting the game out of precaution as well. 
• Some of Zboril's competition for the seventh defense spot – Callahan's partner in this ine, Alec Regula – helped Bussi out quite a bit, pulling the puck off the line and preventing a goal.

The Bruins will be off Monday before continuing the preseason on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Buffalo against the Sabres.