The Boston Bruins assigned Matt Poitras to Providence earlier this week. It was a bit of a surprise move, but the forward’s playing time had dwindled leading up to getting sent to the AHL.
Poitras told New England Hockey Journal’s Mark Divver that he was “a little disappointed” and “surprised” by the Bruins’ decision, but knows the NHL is a tough league and he needs to get his confidence up.
“It’s a really hard league, everybody’s just so good. My confidence wasn’t where I need it to be to go out there and have the confidence that I’m a good player, that I can play at (the NHL) level,” Poitras told Divver. “Get that back and just play the right way”
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Poitras, who made Boston’s roster last year as a 19-year-old, had his rookie season cut short by shoulder surgery. He came into camp this year a little more bulked up and ready to compete again. But he had a slow offensive start with a goal and three assists in 14 games. He was told to work on the “little details” of his game while in the AHL.
“Getting on top of pucks and also just play with some confidence, make plays, get back to playing the way you can,” Poitras told Divver.
Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said he expects Poitras to be back with the Bruins at some point.
“He’s a huge part of our future,” he said. “We know that. We’re excited to watch his development to come back.”
Fabian Lysell returns from injury, passed over for promotion
The Bruins called up a forward before Thursday’s game, but Fabian Lysell is still waiting for his chance as Patrick Brown replaced Tyler Johnson in the Bruins lineup.
Lysell, who missed three games with an injury, returned last week and had two assists over the weekend, but still has just a goal and three assists this season.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Bruins call up Lysell or someone else on the upcoming homestand in an attempt to spark the team.
On Campus
Ryan Walsh stayed ahead of a point-per-game pace with a goal and an assist for Cornell. He’s got two goals and three assists in five games.
In a battle of Bruins draft picks, Providence goalie Philip Svedebäck turned back three shots from UMass’ Dans Locmelis in a 2-1 Friars win. They’ll play again on Sunday.
In goal
Brandon Bussi, who’d been struggling, made 34 saves in a strong effort in Providence’s 8-4 win over the Bridgeport Islanders.
Svedebäck is 5-1-1 with a 2.22 GAA for the Providence Friars.
