Bruins vs. Golden Knights: Swayman Starts as Poitras Returns to Boston’s Lineup

Boston closes its two-game homestand with a matchup that puts two top-10 scoring teams across from each other. The Bruins enter Monday at 10-4-1 and atop the Atlantic Division; the Vegas Golden Knights are 9-5-1 and second in the Pacific. Jeremy Swayman will start for Boston, while Matt Poitras returns to the lineup in place of Sean Kuraly.

The Bruins have taken 21 points through their first 15 games, one more than Montreal. Even the Atlantic’s last-place team, Detroit, is only six points behind them, leaving little room to treat an early-season lead as settled. Boston’s 9-4-1 October included an eight-game point streak, during which the club went 7-0-1.

There’s a strong scoring and defending profile behind that start: Boston is averaging 3.67 goals for and 2.40 against per game, both figures placing it among the league’s top 10. Vegas is close on offense at 3.47 goals per game and ranks 10th in that category. The Golden Knights also sit 10th in goals against, allowing 2.93 per game. Those numbers point to a matchup where the special-teams gap may be especially relevant.

Poitras gets another look on the fourth line

Coach Marco Sturm confirmed the lineup change after the Bruins’ morning skate at TD Garden. Poitras will take Kuraly’s spot alongside Tanner Jeannot and Mark Kastelic, a line assignment he has held for most of his time this season. The defense pairings will stay the same, and Swayman is confirmed to start.

Poitras has seven points, with four goals and three assists, through 11 games. He averages 10:08 of ice time per game. That production gives Boston another scoring option lower in the lineup, while Sturm’s comments point to the area the young forward still needs to sharpen.

“I always say the same thing: young guys being consistent,” Sturm said of Poitras’ development. He praised the forward’s work with the puck and his timely goals, then said Boston wants him to focus more on his play in its own end. For Poitras, the opportunity against Vegas is a chance to build on the offense while showing the detail Sturm is asking for.

Expected Bruins lineup

Forwards

JJ Peterka – Pavel Zacha – David Pastrnak

Marat Khusnutdinov – Fraser Minten – Morgan Geekie

Casey Mittelstadt – Elias Lindholm – James Hagens

Tanner Jeannot – Matt Poitras – Mark Kastelic

Defensemen

Hampus Lindholm – Charlie McAvoy

Nikita Zadorov – Will Borgen

Jonathan Aspirot – Mason Lohrei

Pairings based on the previous game; Sturm said they will remain unchanged.

Starting goalie

Jeremy Swayman is confirmed to start. He enters with a 7-3-1 record, a 2.35 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. Confirmation

Vegas lineup and special teams

Vegas opens a three-game road trip after a 5-2 home loss to New Jersey. The Golden Knights’ expected forward combinations are Ivan Barbashev, Jack Eichel and Mark Stone; Trevor Connelly, William Karlsson and Mitch Marner; Brett Howden, Tomas Hertl and Braeden Bowman; and Jonas Rondbjerg, Nic Dowd and Marc Gatcomb.

The expected defense pairs are Brayden McNabb with Shea Theodore, Jeremy Lauzon with Noah Hanifin, and Ville Heinola with Rasmus Andersson. Carter Hart is listed as the expected goalie, carrying a 4-3-1 record, a 2.76 goals-against average and a .889 save percentage; his start is unconfirmed. The listed Vegas combinations are based on the team’s previous game. Lineup source

Vegas holds the edge on the power play, converting at 27.3 percent, seventh in the league. Boston is at 19.6 percent, ranked 20th. The penalty-kill numbers run the other way: Boston is at 76.9 percent and 19th, while Vegas sits at 69.4 percent and 26th. If special teams decide the game, Boston will need to limit its time shorthanded against one of the league’s more productive power plays.

The clubs split last season’s series, with the home team winning each meeting. They meet again in Vegas on Friday, Jan. 22. For Monday’s game, the puck drops at 7 p.m. NESN carries the broadcast in Boston, with NHLN listed outside the Boston market and SN+ in Canada. Radio coverage is on 98.5 The Sports Hub.

After hosting Vegas, Boston’s next listed game is Thursday, Nov. 5, at Pittsburgh. The Bruins then return home to face Florida on Nov. 8 and Montreal on Nov. 12, followed by Minnesota and Los Angeles. The immediate test is whether Boston can extend its strong start against a Vegas team that brings a potent power play and begins its trip looking to respond to a loss.