By: Eamonn McLean | Follow me on Twitter/X @EamonnMcLean44
After winning a spot on the Boston Bruins roster out of training camp, Matt Poitras was eventually sent down to the American Hockey League’s Providence Bruins to further develop. Poitras played in 14 games with Boston, registering a goal, three assists, and a -4 rating.
After a slow start to life in the AHL that saw the Ajax, Ontario native manage only three points in his first seven games, Poitras’ offensive game has exploded. In 14 games after his intial slump, Poitras has 15 points, and has been a significant asset for a Providence team that is currently fourth in the AHL’s Atlantic Division standings. Poitras has played primarily as a center between wingers Georgii Merkulov, and Vinni Lettieri, with the trio forming one of the strongest lines in the AHL.
However, the big club is in desperate need of scoring help. The Bruins average 2.64 goals per game, the sixth lowest total in the National Hockey League. Their power play is operating at an abysmal 12.6%, the second-worst in the league. In recent losses to the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers, the Bruins found themselves unable to score more than one goal in either game, despite solid defensive play as a team.
While it’s often a stretch to expect a young player to come up from the AHL and instantly make a difference, there’s reasons to believe Poitras can do just that. In Poitras’ aforementioned 14 game stint in Boston earlier this season, he had an expected goals for percentage (xGF%) of 56.06%, in 155 minutes of five-on-five ice time. That number is the second best amongst Bruins skaters with over 100 minutes five-on-five time on ice, behind only Hampus Lindholm.
Last season, when Poitras also made the team out of training camp as a teenager, he played in 33 games with Boston, putting up 15 points before his season was cut short by injury. Poitras was again, one of Boston’s leaders at five-on-five expected goals for percentage, with his 53.98% mark good for fourth on last year’s team.
Poitras also has the best high danger chances for percentage (HDCF%) on the Bruins this year, at 66.67%. The closest Bruin to Poitras in that metric is Parker Wotherspoon, at 57.5%. Good things tend to happen for Boston when the young forward is on the ice.
There are also valid arguments to be made in favor of keeping Poitras in Providence for the time being. Perhaps playing in the AHL could give him an opportunity to play in all situations, and further round out his game. However, when he has already shown he can compete just fine at the next level, why keep him down in the minors?
The Bruins have already tried one external change, claiming Oliver Wahlstrom off waivers from the New York Islanders. Wahlstrom has yet to register a point in seven games with Boston. With the trade deadline still two months away, finding a trade that could boost the forward corps may be difficult at this time. In that case, internal promotions may be necessary, and if so, Matt Poitras might be the most qualified for one.
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