By: Andrew Patten | Follow me on Twitter/X @a_patten11
The 2025-26 Boston Bruins’ season has been one that a majority of the fanbase didn’t expect. With ten games remaining, Boston is right in the middle of an extremely tight race in the Eastern Conference. Every point is as valuable with teams like the Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders, and Detroit Red Wings right on Boston’s heels. At this juncture of the season, teams tend to roll out the same lineup on most nights, knowing they need to put their best out there to try and clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. That’s what Boston has done with their forward group in the last week.
After recalling Lukas Reichel from the Providence Bruins on an emergency basis ahead of their game against the Winnipeg Jets back on March 19th, Boston’s forward group has had some consistency. Something the team hasn’t had much of since the NHL returned to action after the Olympics. In particular, the third-line left-wing role.
For most of 2026, that spot had been filled by either Mikey Eyssimont or Alex Steeves. In the Bruins’ final two games in Florida before the NHL’s three-week hiatus for the 2026 Olympics in Milan, Eyssimont and Steeves were arguably the best players on the trip. Steeves scored Boston’s first goal in their memorable Stadium Series matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning, while Eyssimont put together a two-goal game just a few nights later down in Sunrise against the Panthers, showing off some slick moves.
But since NHL games have resumed, the pair have combined for only one point. It opened the door for the newly acquired Reichel to get some playing time with his new team, and he’s taken advantage of it. The German forward has two points in four games for Boston, flashing his speed and offensive upside. For the time being, it doesn’t look as though he’ll be coming out of the lineup. So, what does that mean for Steeves and Eyssimont moving forward?
At the moment, it seems like ice time might be hard to come by for both of them. But we all know the toll an NHL season can take on a player. Bumps and bruises can add up. And while we hope nobody gets injured, the possibility remains. If a situation like that were to arise, there’s no doubt Marco Sturm would want guys he trusts to fill that role.
And despite them both being scratches in each of Boston’s last four games, he does. He knows what each player brings to the table. They’re both solid NHL forwards that can be contributors not only in five-on-five action but on special teams, too. It’s never a bad thing to have guys like that being your depth options.
It’s a long way of saying that unless Lukas Reichel slows down, it’s hard to envision Mikey Eyssimont or Alex Steeves reclaiming the third line left wing spot. But a chance to get back into action could always come up. If we’ve learned anything from their first year with the Boston Bruins, both are very professional and understand their role at the moment. There’s no question that if Marco Sturm calls upon them, they’ll be ready. It’s just a matter of when that opportunity presents itself—and when it does, both are poised to make the most of it.
Leave a Reply