Matt Bartkowski was back in Boston's lineup Monday after being a healthy scratch for nine of the club's last 10 games. "I thought he played well tonight for his first game back in a long time," said coach Claude Julien. "So I don't know if it's an adjustment more than he's practiced hard and he's worked hard. And because of that he's able to step into our lineup and play the way he did tonight." He contributed an assist and earned a plus-2 rating in 16:24 of ice time.

Matt Bartkowski will probably suit up in his fifth game of the season on Monday afternoon against Tampa Bay. Adam McQuaid is doubtful to play because of what is suspected to be a groin injury. He has been working as an extra defenseman with the Bruins and he's played one game since Oct. 17.

Matt Bartkowski, a healthy scratch for the Bruins' first three contests, could draw into the lineup Saturday afternoon against the Blue Jackets. Bartkowski played his college hockey in Columbus with Ohio State and has many friends in town. It would make sense for Boston coach Claude Julien to insert him into the Boston lineup as he would be plenty motivated to do well.

Matt Bartkowski has been a healthy scratch for Boston's first two games, but coach Claude Julien intends to use him at some point. "We've got some good young players that need to play, especially early in the year," Julien said. "You've got to give those guys opportunities to play. So when that's going to happen, I'm not sure yet, but certainly don't expect to see him in the stands for a whole month." Bartkowski made Boston's roster out of training camp as the team's seventh defenseman.

Bruins defenseman Matt Bartkowski is a healthy scratch for Thursday's season opener. Both Torrey Krug and Dougie Hamilton are in the lineup, forcing Bartkowski to the press box for the time being. It's unlikely you were relying on him, but just in case you're in an exceptionally deep league, it's time to replace him with someone else.

Matt Bartkowski might open the regular season as Boston's seventh defenseman. He has been good during training camp, but Torey Krug's power-play prowess is expected to keep him in the lineup for opening night.

Matt Bartkowski has drawn praise from coach Claude Julien early into training camp. "The thing I've noticed is that he's come to camp in better shape than he ever has," Julien said. "That's the sign of a player maturing into a good pro. He's obviously figured it out, so that's a good start for Matt." The Boston bench boss added that an roster spot is "basically his job to lose." However, that position may come as the team's seventh defenseman.

Matt Bartkowski has been a healthy scratch for the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals. It's unfortunate for him that he didn't get to play in his hometown in Games 1 and 2, but he understands the tough lineup decisions that the team has to make. "Yeah, I mean, it's disappointing not playing," said Bartkowski, who grew up in Mount Lebanon, Pa. "But at the end of the day, it's coach's decision, there's nothing I can do about it and we won the game. That's the most important thing." Andrew Ference, who returned from a lower-body injury in Round 3, has replaced Bartkowski in the lineup.

Matt Bartkowski will be heading to his hometown of Pittsburgh to face the Penguins in the Eastern Conference Finals later this week. "It'll be fun," Bartkowski said. "I was part of the (Mario) Lemieux era and I don't think I'd be skating if he wasn't there. It's kind of cool we get to play playoffs in my hometown. I mean at the end of the day, I'm on Boston and that's Pittsburgh. We're there to win." The 24-year-old blueliner has fit in nicely with the Bruins after being thrust into action due to injuries. Bartkowski has two points, 21 hits and a minus-1 rating in seven postseason contests, while averaging 19:46 of ice time per game.

Matt Bartkowski has made the Boston Bruins feel good about the fact they missed out on Jarome Iginla. Bartkowski was going to be part of the Iginla trade that collapsed. However, Bartkowski has stepped up in the playoffs, chipping in both physically and a bit offensively. "If you're asking me am I happy because I kept him instead of getting Iginla, yes. Now, yes," Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli said. "He's helped us. You've seen him emerge. But it also shows you that we're willing to give up good players to try and help the team win now."