Matthew Poitras has earned the right to stay on the Bruins roster

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

For Bruins fans, the long wait for the start of the 2023-2024 campaign is almost over. The Bruins will open their season in five days on Wednesday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. Following an offseason full of change, the roster will look different from a year ago and will feature some new faces, such as Matthew Poitras.

Few players have made a better impression during the preseason than the 19-year-old. Poitras scored three goals in five games and thrived in the faceoff circle. He also led the Bruins in points with five. After starting camp without a guaranteed spot, Poitras has dominated headlines.

While his rise has seemingly come out of nowhere, his success is not a complete surprise. Last year in the OHL, Poitras recorded 95 points while playing for the Guelph Storm. He was just as effective in the playoffs, with four points in six games. The play of the former second-round pick has been a welcoming sign for a Bruins team that has lost franchise icons to retirement in Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci over the last few months.

Additionally, Poitras will likely open the season on the third line. That is not a bad spot for the rookie as he continues to adjust to a new league and higher expectations. His play has also caught the eye of Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery.

“He just seems to be in the right spots,” Montgomery said of Poitras to the media. “He has the puck a lot because he’s always in the right support position. And then when he gets the puck, his poised with the puck — he’s calm beyond his years with the puck.”

As Poitras looks to build on his success, he must continue creating offense. During the preseason, he thrived regardless of his linemates and showed why he has been an offensive force in the OHL. If that success carries over into the regular season, the Bruins offense might get an unexpected boost.

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