The Bruins’ strong start has put plenty of things in focus, and Matthew Poitras is suddenly one of the most interesting names in the mix.
Boston is off to a 6-2-0 start, sits atop the Atlantic Division, and is riding a four-game winning streak after beating the Anaheim Ducks 4-2. Poitras helped finish that one off, scoring the Bruins’ final goal to put the game out of reach. Through five games, he has three goals and four points.
Even with that production, his name is still floating around in trade chatter. In a recent Athletic article, Fluto Shinzawa labeled Poitras Boston’s top “under-the-radar” trade candidate.
“Poitras is a 22-year-old right-shot center with speed and skill. He’s started the season on the fourth line, though.
He is behind Pavel Zacha, Fraser Minten and Elias Lindholm on the depth chart. Could another team see more value in Poitras as a top-three center?”
That kind of speculation is nothing new for Poitras. His future in Boston has been questioned often since last season, and his age and upside make him the sort of player the Bruins could package in a deal for a bigger piece.
But the way he’s skating right now complicates the picture. The 2022 second-round pick looks like he may be turning a corner, and if this stretch continues, he could force his way into a more important role in Boston’s forward group.
For now, Poitras remains one of the Bruins’ most intriguing storylines. Whether Boston keeps him or moves him, he’s a player worth watching closely.
In Other News...
Bruins Suddenly Have A Goalie Decision Before Kings Game
The Bruins kept rolling with a 4-2 win over the Ducks, stretching their winning streak to four games and pushing their record to 6-2-0. It was another encouraging night for a team that has found a rhythm early, with the group continuing to stack points as it heads into its next test against the Kings.
Boston also got a notable boost from its crease in Anaheim, and that now leaves a familiar kind of question hanging over the next game in Los Angeles. The Bruins have a decision to make on how they want to handle goal in the short term, and after a stretch like this, it is the sort of choice that could matter as much as the standings. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Slow Start Couldnt Stop A Breakout Fans Needed To See
A sluggish opening did little to derail the Bruins in Anaheim, where they steadied themselves and left with a needed win over a team that had given them trouble for a while. The victory pushed Boston to 6-2-0 and snapped a five-game losing streak against the Ducks, while the group in front of its backup goalie eventually found enough rhythm to turn the night around.
Michael DiPietro handled the rest with 25 saves in a performance that fit the moment for a team navigating a back-to-back road trip. Bostons offense also did its part with power-play goals from Frederic Brunet, David Pastrnak and Elias Lindholm before Matthew Poitras added insurance to close it out, a mix of production and response that should matter to a club still sorting out its early-season identity. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Got The Response They Needed From An Unlikely Source
The Bruins needed a lift after spotting Anaheim a two-goal first-period lead, and they found it in a night that had a little bit of everything. Boston rallied for a 4-2 win behind goals from Frederic Brunet, David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm and Matt Poitras, while the special teams did their part with a 3-for-4 power play and a perfect penalty kill.
Michael DiPietro was the one steadying the whole thing from there, turning aside 25 shots and giving Boston exactly the kind of response it was looking for. For a team trying to keep momentum going, getting that sort of calm, timely work in net from an unexpected source can matter just as much as the comeback itself. [Read more 🡒]