3 reasons why Matthew Poitras needs to stay in Boston

Going into the preseason, Matthew Poitras was just another name to the Boston Bruins’ front office.

Initially, he was just someone they would get a quick look at, but it turns out he’s made a bit of a name for himself. On top of that, he’s made life very difficult for Bruins’ general manager Don Sweeney.

Here are some reasons why Poitras needs to stay in Boston, as opposed to being sent back to the Ontario Hockey League another year of development.

Reason #1 – He’s clutch when you need him to be

In Tuesday night’s preseason game against the Washington Capitals, the Bruins were trailing late in the third period 4-3 and Poitras was playing in his first game against competition he would likely face in the NHL.

What does he do? He ties the game up just under five minutes into the third period on a double-move he made on Evgeny Kuznetzov.

The goal was Poitras’ second of the preseason in four games of action, but more importantly it was his third point in four games.

Given that he was able to get on the scoreboard again, definitely will make things difficult for Don Sweeney and co., and will definitely back up the point of him being legit following analysis of the first game against the New York Rangers.

Reason #2 – He can play with the big boys (on the Bruins and not)

Poitras has now made it know to the league that he can not only play with the big boys on his own team, but he can also take on the hard-nosed NHL veterans on the other side of the puck.

Now, granted, last night’s matchup with the Capitals was one without Alexander Ovechkin in the lineup, he did have to deal with the defensive prowess of Kuznetsov, and John Carlson.

He did so in style last night as he was tied for the most time on ice of any forward for Boston with who other than David Pastrnak at 18:27. Now, while he didn’t log the most time on ice of everyone (that title would go to rookie Mason Lohrei with 24:40 of ice time), it is still impressive that he can keep up with Pastrnak.

Reason #3 – He has improved defensively since his first game

Since his first game of the preseason, Poitras has improved his skating in the defensive zone, and even collected two blocked shots in Tuesday’s contest with Washington.

In order to replace a player like Patrice Bergeron it’s important to have players like Poitras on the roster. Whether or not, the 19-year-old plays his natural position of center or not is ultimately up to the Bruins’ brass, but he certainly has played like the former Selke winner thus far.

Poitras is through three games with the big club and he has proven he can do it on both ends of the ice, definitely something to keep an eye on in the last preseason game against the Rangers – a game I would genuinely be surprised if he did not play in.

What’s next?

Boston plays it’s final preseason game against New York on Wednesday on the road at Madison Square Garden before beginning its Centennial Season next week. The game will be broadcast nationally on TNT, and locally on NESN – puck drop is slated for 7:30 p.m.