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Major Development: Boston Bruins Forward Has One Final NHL Stint To Prove Himself To The Organization
Photo credit: The Hockey News
Boston Bruins Matt Poitras has been given a final stint in the NHL and he has to prove himself to the organization.
This season has been a struggle for Matt Poitras. Earlier in the year he was on a four-game pointless streak, and Jim Montgomery was on him to be more productive for the Bruins.
November 9th the Bruins took on the Ottawa Senators, and Poitras only saw 11:08 of ice time in the 3-2 overtime loss. Two days later, the Boston Bruins reassigned Poitras to the AHL for the first time in his professional career.
«It's a tough league,» Poitras said of the NHL. «When things don't go your way, it's obviously very frustrating. I was frustrated. But I feel better now.»
Tuesday saw Matt Poitras return to the Bruins lineup to face the Tampa Bay Lightning after spending two-months in the American Hockey League. During the two months he was with the Providence Bruins he light it up scoring eight goals, with 12 assists in 23 games.
Evan Gold, the General Manager of the Providence Bruins, and head coach Ryan Mougenel both advocated for Matt Poitras' return to the Bruins lineup.
Poitras was put with Trent Frederic and Charlie Coyle in the Bruins 6-2 win on Tuesday. Poitras made an instant impact in the first period getting the primary assist on Trent Frederic's goal to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead in the first period.
«He uses his speed there and he used his creativity,» interim coach Joe Sacco said. «To be able to hang onto the puck the way he did while that D was sliding, hang onto it and get it by him over to Freddy, it was a really good play. You could tell right away it kind of energized our group.»
The reason for Poitras' call up was due to the Bruins having multiple injured players unavailable for the game. Charlie McAvoy and Mark Kastelic were both placed on Injury Reserved.
Poitras was better off in the AHL with the Providence Bruins, as he was given more ice time then what Jim Montgomery was giving him, and it ultimately helped him develop his game.
«I just feel more comfortable as a player compared to when I went down,» Poitras said. «I just feel better overall just being on the ice. I found the love for the game again. It just makes you feel better on the ice every day.»
The Bruins are holding Poitras to high expectations this time around in the NHL, and he seemed to find his game while with the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League.
Previously on Bruins Insider
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 15 | 802 ANSWERS Major Development: Boston Bruins Forward Has One Final NHL Stint To Prove Himself To The Organization Do you think Matt Poitras could be traded by the Boston Bruins if he doesn't prove himself during this stint with the organization? | ||
| Yes | 420 | 52.4 % |
| No | 382 | 47.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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