Matthew Poitras finished fifth in scoring in the OHL with 95 points in 63 games for Guelph last season. (Photo courtesy of Boston Bruins)

BUFFALO – Brains, not brawn, are what will open the door to the NHL for Bruins prospect Matthew Poitras.

But that doesn’t mean he’s not going to have to handle the hard knocks that are coming his way as a 5-foot-11, 176-pound center.

And it looks like he’s up for it.

After taking a couple of tough hits in Friday’s Prospects Challenge game against the Pittsburgh Penguins rookies, Poitras answered with one of his own.

When defenseman Ty Higgins took a run at him along the boards at the Pittsburgh blue line, Poitras sent him crashing to the ice.

“I like the competitiveness,” said Bruins assistant general manager Evan Gold. “It’s like, ‘OK, I get it. I know why I’m being targeted and I also know that I can dish it out, too.’ To me, that says a lot about a hockey player.”

Indeed, the Bruins are saying nothing but positive things about the 19-year-old Poitras, drafted in the second round (No. 54) in 2022.

His ability to think the game is at the top of the list.

“My favorite trait is probably his brain,” said Jamie Langenbrunner, Boston’s assistant GM for player personnel. “I think he has a good feel for the game. He puts himself in the right spots. He knows where the puck is going. One thing he does really well is play in tight areas. He knows how to make plays out of there and uses his body despite not being the biggest guy.”

Gold seconds that opinion. “I just love the hockey IQ on the kid. I like the way he’s wired, too. Seems like he’s wired to be a hockey player.”

This is the second trip to the Prospects Challenge for Poitras. He set up a goal in the first game on Friday and made smart plays all over the ice in both games.

“Comfort level is up. Been through it. Played three games last year. Second time around you kind of know what you can get away with out there. It’s a different kind of comfort level, having more confidence with the puck and things like that,” he said after Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Montreal.

“I feel like I’ve gained a step and feel a bit stronger on my edges. Being able to go against bigger guys in the corner and protect the puck and just have the puck on my stick, I feel like that’s when I’m most effective. Being able to hold off those guys and have more puck-possession time helps my game.”

Brayden Point (5-foot-11, 180 pounds) of the Tampa Bay Lightning is a player Poitras likes to watch.  

“I kind of see some similarities. He’s a smaller guy. He gets away with a lot of things because he’s strong on his edges and he’s fast. For me it’s about coming up the ice with the puck with speed. It opens up a lot more space,” he said.

Poitras is coming to Boston training camp intent on making the NHL team, which as you may have heard is down a pair of world-class centers in Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. Realistically, he is practically a lock to spend another season with Guelph of the OHL. (He’s not eligible to play in the AHL.)

“It would be great if he makes a push and makes a real hard decision for us. That’s a win-win for everyone no matter how it ends up,” said Gold.

Coming off a season in which he finished tied for fifth in OHL scoring with 16-79-95 in 63 games, there are plenty of things for Poitras to work on in 2023-24.

“It’s not as much statistics, it’s trying to round out my game. I really try to work on the D side of my game. Faceoffs – starting with the puck is a big thing. It makes the game a lot easier when you start with the puck. Things like that (are important) for me to be a centerman and play at the next level,” he said.

Langenbrunner wants Poitras to work on shooting.

“We’d like to see him continue to develop his shot. He’s obviously a very good and gifted playmaker and that’s the way he’s going to look at it first, but being more of a dual threat will help him make more plays, to be honest with you, showing that willingness to shoot it a little bit more. So we’re going to stress that more with him,” he said.

“The next thing would be pushing his team beyond where maybe they are supposed to be. That’s something any player can do, get the most out of whatever team you are on.”

Gold looks for Poitras to “be a leader, drive a line, be a good teammate.”

Poitras figures to be in the conversation for Canada’s team at the World Junior Championships

“I understand Canada has a lot of good players, but he has the type of game that complements high-end players. He has the ability to create and play in a lot of different ways,” said Langenbrunner.

“I think he’ll be in the mix,” said Gold. “One thing I would give him credit for is there is some versatility to his game, where he can play the wing, and I can see him helping their team even if he’s not the one C. He’s a player that can play different roles in different spots in the lineup.”

For his part, Poitras would like nothing more than to represent his country.

“It’s a dream of mine to play for Canada at the World Juniors. Watching it every year, it’s unreal. Best time of the year. If I get the opportunity to get called to camp in December, I’ll give it my all to try to make the team. It would be a dream come true,” he said.