Matthew Poitras making the most of his time in Providence
After starting the season in the NHL with the Bruins, Matthew Poitras has spent the last few months in Providence. With more playing time, the promising forward has been on a roll, showing why he is viewed as an essential piece of the future.
In 17 AHL games, the former second-round pick has 16 points, including nine assists. He has been stellar over the last few weeks, with 13 points in his last ten games, including a seven-game goal streak from Dec. 6 to Dec. 18. That is the player the Bruins were hoping he would be when the session started.
For many in the Bruins organization, his recent play is no surprise. In his rookie season, the talented center made a great first impression before a shoulder injury that required surgery caused him to miss significant time. Now that he is healthy and producing, excitement is building over Poitras future.
With the Bruins' forward group needing a spark, it would not be shocking to see Poitras recalled. His 16 points would be tied for the fifth most on the team, trailing only David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, Elias Lindholm, and Pavel Zacha. He is making an impact on a nightly basis and is confident every time he takes the ice.
If Poitras can continue his recent play, it would be hard to envision him staying in Providence much longer. He is averaging nearly a point per game and has been one of Providence's best players. He also has not been hanging on to the puck for too long, which was an issue prior to his demotion.
Over the next few weeks, Poitras will be a player to watch, as his return to the NHL seems to be a matter of not if but when.