After three games as a healthy scratch, Morgan Geekie returned to the Bruins’ lineup in a 3-2 victory over St. Louis on Tuesday night. Geekie, who skated on Boston’s top line with David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha, scored a third-period goal as the Bruins rallied from a 2-0 deficit.

Such is the life of a hockey player, as Bruins Coach Jim Montgomery searches for the elusive right combination of lines.

Geekie, like the Bruins as a whole, is trying to shake off a tough start to the 2024-25 season.

After three games as a spectator, he was itching to get back on the ice.

“I’m eager for sure. It sucks missing time. I’ve just got to go out there and play better than I did before,” said Geekie, who has two assists through 11 games this season after a breakthrough first season in Boston, when he had 17 goals, 22 assists and 39 points – all career highs.

“It’s always tough. I try to not overthink things and just play like I know I can play. Mental for sure. Everyone goes through it. It’s just trying not to get too low. Mentally, it’s tough. Everyone fights their own battles. You have to take it in stride, be a good teammate, be a good pro and come to work every day and just try to work your way out of it.”

POITRAS DEMOTED: Prior to the game Tuesday night, Montgomery addressed Matt Poitras being sent to Providence for the first time in his young career.

In 14 games this season, Poitras had one goal and three assists. In his last four games, he did not have a point and had just two shots on net.

The way Montgomery sees it, some great Bruins players had to do some development time in the American Hockey League.

“Players like David Krejci and Brad Marchand spent a year and a half in the minors,” Montgomery told reporters in St. Louis about his message to the 20-year-old Poitras. “Don’t look at this as a negative, although it’s hard not to when you’re the person. It’s an opportunity to go play, get your game back. He’s a huge part of our future. We know that and we’re excited to watch his development and to come back.”

Coming off shoulder surgery last February that ended his rookie season when he surprisingly made the Bruins’ roster, Poitras had a very good camp and earned his spot in Boston again. But once the season started, he flashed his obvious skill occasionally but was too often a non-factor in games.

He was also getting overpowered at times and taking big hits from hanging on to the puck too long. And it didn’t help that, with the fluid nature of the lines with the underperforming Bruins, he didn’t have much of a chance to settle in with regular linemates.

According to reporter Mark Divver, who covers the AHL, Poitras skated in P-Bruins’ practice centering veteran Max Jones, who recently cleared waivers and was sent to Providence, and top prospect Fabian Lysell.