Bruins' Matthew Poitras 'Taking it Day-By-Day' in Strong Start to 2026-27 Season originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Even with veterans providing value for the Bruins, a youth movement is being pushed. Given the chance to shine, Matthew Poitras has excelled under pressure early on this season.
Picked in the 2022 NHL Draft, Poitras scored seven goals in three seasons for the Bruins. Injuries and stints in Providence affected his progress. Knowing he’d be on waivers if he started the season in Providence, Poitras had to prove he could help lead the Bruins to glory.
Playing his first game of the season against the Senators, Poitras has already scored three goals in five games and earned four points. The team is 4-1 when he hits the ice as a fourth-line center.
"It’s been fun, and obviously it’s a new role that I’m not totally used to, and I’ve never really played a role like this ever in hockey," Poitras told The Boston Globe. "It’s just something new, just taking it day-by-day, and just trying to do the simple things right. And not too worried about still trying to provide some offense, but just trying to play a detailed game."
Poitras was limited in the preseason due to a lower-body injury suffered during practice. Even without playing time, he still made the main roster. Along with Frederic Brunet, they aim to lead the Bruins to playoff hockey.
In two seasons with Providence (109 games), Poitras scored 30 goals and had 85 points. If he can replicate those numbers with the Bruins, the sky is the limit.
"I’m just having lots of fun being here, and the guys have been great, and it’s just being on the road so early too, I feel like it’s great for the group just to jell," Poitras said.