{"id":885132,"date":"2026-10-17T04:36:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T04:36:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/885132\/"},"modified":"2026-10-17T04:36:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T04:36:12","slug":"matt-poitras-settling-into-new-fourth-line-role-for-bruins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/885132\/","title":{"rendered":"Matt Poitras settling into new fourth-line role for Bruins"},"content":{"rendered":"

He\u2019s been one of Boston\u2019s most talked about prospects since he arrived at training camp as an 18-year-old second-round draft pick in 2023 and surprised many by securing a roster spot<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A nagging shoulder injury and corrective surgery curtailed that rookie season, and Poitras spent most of subsequent two in Providence gaining muscle and perspective.<\/p>\n

He entered this past summer in flux. As a restricted free agent, his options were limited as he waited for a contract offer from the Bruins. He signed on the eve of training camp, and still faced the daunting task of securing a roster spot<\/a> on a team that had precious few up for grabs.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt was not easy. Just having the whole summer go by and signing so late just before camp,\u201d Poitras said. \u201cI just wanted to come in and try and earn a spot. And then I feel like I was playing well, then I got hurt. <\/p>\n

\u201cSo that sucked and just the uncertainty after that, just waiting and seeing. I couldn\u2019t really do anything because just trying to get healthy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fortunately, his lower-body injury was minor. And after a short stint off the ice, Poitras was able to pick up where he left off. He landed on the varsity \u2014 a relief for him, and the club. If the Bruins had tried to sneak Poitras to Providence, he would have been subject to waivers. Given his age and salary ($850,000), he likely would have been snapped up.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was the only thing that sucked, because the camp was so short this year. So I got hurt for a week and a bit, and now I\u2019m missing a little bit longer, and now I have to get a few practices before I can get back in the lineup,\u201d he said. \u201cSo, it\u2019s just kind of weird timing with only four preseason games and only to be able to get to play in one. But yeah, it\u2019s all behind me now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Poitras has always had an offensive pedigree \u2014 79 assists and 95 points in his final OHL season is a case in point \u2014 but he\u2019s now serving a different role as Boston\u2019s fourth-line center between hulking wingers Tanner Jeannot and Mark Kastelic.<\/p>\n

\u201cJeano and Kasty are super easy to play with, super easy to read off, and they play really hard,\u201d said Poitras, who has two goals and 3 points in four games. \u201cI don\u2019t have to be as aggressive because those guys are always on the forecheck. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been fun and obviously it\u2019s a new role that I\u2019m not totally used to, and I\u2019ve never really played a role like this ever in hockey. It\u2019s just something new, just taking it day-by-day, and just trying to do the simple things right. And not too worried about still trying to provide some offense, but just trying to play a detailed game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coaches and general managers often talk about earning a job by taking someone else\u2019s. Poitras, who supplanted Sean Kuraly on the fourth line, said that\u2019s the mentality \u2014 and that it hasn\u2019t caused any ruffled feathers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe NHL is a competitive league, and everybody\u2019s trying to move themselves up and everybody wants to play and be in the lineup every night,\u201d he said. \u201cSo, it\u2019s nothing ever personal. I think we have a pretty close team, and everybody\u2019s been great.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, I\u2019m just trying to be in the lineup every night and I\u2019ll do whatever it takes to do that. So yeah, I feel like that\u2019s just the way the NHL is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starting on the pond<\/p>\n

Micheal DiPietro got the start in net vs. the Ducks \u2026 Marco Sturm was surprised to learn Tuesday\u2019s win in San Jose<\/a> was his 50th as Bruins coach. \u201cI had a great start to my coaching career with this group last season, and I feel like it\u2019s even better this year,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd again, it\u2019s nothing to do with the wins and losses, but it\u2019s just getting more comfortable.\u201d \u2026 The Bruins bussed north on I-5 to Los Angeles after the game for Saturday\u2019s game with the Kings<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com<\/a>. Follow him @globejimmcbride<\/a>.<\/p>\n