Matthew Poitras has quickly made his presence felt at the AHL level, putting the Boston Bruins in a tough spot as his standout performances demand attention.
On Wednesday night, the skilled forward extended his remarkable goal-scoring streak to seven games during Providence’s overtime loss to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Poitras wasted no time, finding the back of the net with a power-play one-timer late in the first period.
His offensive tear has brought his season totals to seven goals and eight assists for 15 points. With Boston’s offense ranking seventh-to-last in the NHL in goals per game, the 20-year-old’s hot streak raises the question of whether the Bruins should bring him back to the NHL to inject some much-needed scoring consistency.
However, calling up Poitras isn’t a straightforward move. The Bruins would need to free up a roster spot, a decision complicated by the recent performances of players like Marc McLaughlin. McLaughlin has contributed two goals in his last two games on Boston’s fourth line, making his case to stay in the lineup.
Additionally, there’s the matter of Oliver Wahlstrom, whom the Bruins recently claimed off waivers from the New York Islanders. Interim head coach Joe Sacco has expressed a desire to give the 24-year-old forward a proper opportunity to make an impact, though Wahlstrom has yet to make his Bruins debut.
Poitras, who previously played 14 games for Boston this season with one goal and three assists, might have to wait for his chance to rejoin the team. The Bruins will likely want to ensure he gets significant playing time when he returns to the NHL.
In the meantime, Poitras can focus on continuing his development with Providence and perhaps extending his goal-scoring streak even further. If he keeps this level of play up, he’ll make it increasingly difficult for the Bruins to keep him in the AHL for long.
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