By: Kenny Kaminsky | Follow me on Twitter/X @KennyKaminsky
On November 11, 2024, Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney assigned Matthew Poitras to Providence to continue developing his skills. While this decision upset many Bruins fans, it proved to be beneficial for his growth as a player. The former second-round pick struggled at the start of the season, similar to the rest of the team. Moving him to a more stable environment was the best choice for the young center, and the team is now beginning to see the positive effects of this decision.
Before being sent down, Poitras recorded one goal and three assists for four points in 14 games. Former Head Coach Jim Montgomery stated that the demotion was to see Poitras make “more of an impact in the game” and to encourage him to “make more plays and understand our structure.” Poitras’ season started rocky as he missed the first two games due to an undisclosed injury before returning to the lineup. During the early part of the season, it was evident that his confidence was waning daily. As the team underperformed and his opportunities in the top six diminished, sending him down ultimately made the most sense.
The Guelph Storm product took a few games to make an impact at the American Hockey League (AHL) level, only having three assists in his first seven games, but his performance truly took off on December 1, 2024. This was the first game where Poitras was paired with linemates Georgii Merkulov and Vinni Lettieri. Together, this line quickly became the best in the AHL, with each player averaging over a point per game. The Ontario native excelled by taking advantage of his teammates’ elite playmaking and goal-scoring abilities. Providence’s version of the “perfection line” was virtually unstoppable during their reign of terror.
One of my concerns was how Poitras would react to his sudden demotion. Seeing him smiling and laughing during his first practice in Providence was a relief. Gradually, his confidence began to return. The Ajax, ON native’s performance along the boards, improved significantly, and he started delivering elite-level passes that resulted in goals. Eventually, he recognized that his shot was exceptional and began shooting the puck whenever possible. This strategy of leveraging his strengths led Matthew to a seven-game goal streak.
With three players capable of scoring effortlessly and making top-tier passes, everyone on that line became a scoring threat, making them incredibly difficult to defend against. Initially, it seemed like Poitras was following the lead of the other players on his unit, but by the end of his time in Providence, he had become the focal point through which the offense flowed during both power plays and five-on-five situations. Coach Ryan Mougenel and his staff continue to develop players at a very high rate. Having this system in Providence is incredible for all young players looking to have an extended stay in the NHL. This isn’t the first time a short stint helped a player gain more confidence and earn a consistent role at the next level. Last year alone, Mason Lohrei and John Beecher had a brief stay before carving out a permanent role in Boston. The 2022 second-round pick finished his stint with eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points in 23 games.
After being recalled, Poitras reflected fondly on his minor league experience, saying, “I just feel more comfortable as a player compared to when I went down.” He also stated, “I feel better overall just being on the ice, and I kind of just found the love for the game again.” When talking about the difference in his game during his stint in the AHL, he also mentioned, “I feel like I was just shooting the puck more and, I guess, being a bit more selfish.” Sometimes I look away to pass more, and I think when you get those opportunities to shoot, they don’t come that often, so you just have to always shoot the puck, and good things happen.”
Since being called up, Matthew Poitras has registered five points in nine games. Despite the poor performance of the team around him, he has already surpassed his point total from earlier this year. Even when he isn’t scoring, he showcases some impressive offensive plays. While his defensive skills still need improvement—a common challenge for any young NHL player—his confidence and playmaking ability have added much-needed offense to a team that struggles to create scoring opportunities.
Recently, Poitras excelled in a game against the New York Rangers, showcasing his offensive creativity, especially when teaming up with David Pastrnak. His first assist demonstrated his experience in Providence; he skillfully outmaneuvered one of the NHL’s top defensemen, Adam Fox, along the boards and delivered a precise pass to Pastrnak, who scored against goaltender Igor Shesterkin. His second assist came more easily when Poitras intercepted the puck off a turnover and set up Pastrnak again for a beautiful shot. This play was a simple yet effective maneuver, twisting his body and creating a lane for the one-timer.
The impressive performance of the Bruins’ young center is primarily attributed to his time with the Providence Bruins. Fans are eager to see how much more he can contribute to the team. Given his chemistry with David Pastrnak, Head Coach Joe Sacco may consider moving Poitras to the top line following the game against the New York Rangers. The organization has high hopes for Matthew Poitras’s future.
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