Matt Poitras is continuing to impress with the Bruins.

BOSTON – Matt Poitras has some serious potential.

No matter how the season ends for the Boston Bruins, the future appears bright for the 20-year-old centerman. He’s been given an opportunity of late, and he’s taking full advantage of the situation. No matter the role he’s been given, Poitras has impressed. He’s proving to be a game-changer and has posted seven assists in nine games since his recall from Providence. His two assists in the Bruins’ 3-0 win over the Minnesota Wild Tuesday at TD Garden were just another example of his ability to produce.

“I’m just trying to help the team win,” Poitras said. “It’s nice to contribute and do what I can to help getting those two points. Every point for us is valuable right now and we just need to keep this thing rolling and I’m glad to contribute.”

He plays with confidence. He plays with passion. He plays with a purpose and the team has noticed.

“I like his compete level,” said Bruins coach Joe Sacco. “Matty’s persistent. He’s on the puck. He wants the puck. He wants to make a difference when he has it and that’s what I like about his game. Besides the fact that he’s collecting some points, he’s competitive and he’s digging in.”

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When the Bruins selected Poitras in the second round (54^th overall) in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, the team believed he could make an impact. There’s something special about centerman taken in the second round by the Bruins. We’re not about to mention Poitras in the same conversation as Patrice Bergeron (45^thoverall) or David Krejci (63^rd overall), but there are early similarities. If Poitras can develop into a player remotely close to either future Hall of Famer, the Bruins will be in good shape.

“It’s good for the organization when you have a young player coming in and he’s able to contribute like he has is a good sign,” Sacco said. “It’s good for our club right now and he’s given our club a boost offensive, too. You’re looking for some of those guys like Matty and Mason (Lohrei) to push. That’s what you need in this league, you need some of those young players to push from within and they’re doing that right now. It’s a good sign.”

Bruins forward Trent Frederic was on the receiving end of an impressive play by Poitras when the Bruins made it 2-0 against the Wild at 14:14 of the second period. After Minnesota failed to get a shot on net on an odd-man rush, Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo picked up the puck and quickly moved it to Poitras to begin their own 3-on-2. Poitras then sent a cross-ice pass from the right boards to Frederic, who skated into the top of the left circle and roofed a shot over Marc-Andre Fleury's glove.

“He’s been awesome,” Frederic said of Poitras. “I enjoy playing with him and you can see that in the plays he’s made the last two games, so it’s been great. It’s good to see it.”

Poitras admits he’s playing with a lot of confidence. The production is only fueling his contributions. No doubt he’s experiencing the ebbs and flows of the NHL, but the upside has been impressive so far.

He’ll will be in a rare situation once the break arrives for the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Bruins could send him to Providence to continue playing or treat him like a true NHLer and give him the time off. There have been examples in the past during similar situations when the organization handled players differently. A few times a player has been given the time off, while others have been assigned to Providence to keep playing and stay fresh. Poitras hasn’t been told yet what his plan will be during the break.

“I’m not sure,” he said. “I’m enjoying playing right now.”

Bruins fans are enjoying watching him play, too. 

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