Need to Know: Bruins vs. Lightning

Poitra’s Back Up

Among a series of roster transactions Tuesday morning for Boston was the recall of Matt Poitras from Providence. The 20-year-old was sent to the P-Bruins in early November and put up some strong numbers with 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 23 games, including a seven-game hitting streak through mid-December.

“Just got on the ice a lot more, more drills, more reps, just got that confidence back that I felt like I was playing with the start of this year, last year… just go out there, have fun, work hard and let the rest of things take care of themselves. Just get that confidence back, get a lot of puck touches. I thought that was very beneficial for me,” Poitras said of his first stint in the AHL.

Poitras added that he feels more confident and better conditioned after playing more minutes in higher-leverage situations with Providence.

“When I first came down, it was hard to play anymore,” Poitras said. “You go from playing less and you get more shifts, which helps you figure out that you have to do more on the ice to get in better shape and be able to play more minutes.

“I just feel more comfortable as a player than when I went down. I just feel better in general being on the ice, just found the love of the game again. It makes you feel better when you get on the ice every day and come to the rink.”

The 2022 second-round pick said finding his scoring touch was the result of an increase in shooting.

“When you get that confidence and you’re rolling, it’s a great feeling,” Poitras said. “Feel like I just shot the puck more and was a little more selfish. Sometimes I look to pass more when you get those opportunities, shoot, they don’t come around often, just always shoot the puck and good things happen.

Sacco said he expects Poitras to play center Tuesday night and help the Bruins generate more offense through the middle of the ice.

“We need his ability to carry the puck through the middle of the ice, that’s one of his strengths. We will give him the opportunity to do that,” Sacco said. “The ability to make some plays, create some offense, whether it’s off the rush in the offensive zone. His level of competition has to be tough off the puck as well. Some of the details defensively, playing in our own end zone, those are things , we take pride in that, and he’s getting better at that, especially down in Providence. He’s getting stronger, which is a good sign for us

“We want to see him play out there, create some opportunities off the rush. We haven’t created many chances off the rush, so hopefully he can help us in that area.”