Jim Montgomery kept things simple in his one-on-one meeting with Matt Poitras on Monday morning.After getting glued to the bench in the third period of Saturday’s win over the Coyotes, Poitras was open to Montgomery’s preaching of shorter shifts and reducing risk with the ball on his stick.
Another decree from the bench boss of Boston? Grin.
The 19-year-old pivot was greeted by Montgomery with a smile that was contagious. “I told you that I feel better when you smile. What do you think your teammates look like? You do realize you’re in the NHL at the age of 19?
“A person who has lived here for fifteen years, such as Brad Marchand, would consider traveling to New Jersey to be simply another game. It’s the first time I’m visiting New Jersey for you. That provides the energy we require, I said.
During his meeting with Poitras, Montgomery emphasized the positives, focusing on the rookie’s progress when many had predicted that he would struggle in junior hockey for at least another full season.
For an old hand like Marchand, a road race in Winnipeg or a voyage to Newark might not be his top choices. However, Poitras says it’s much better than spending hours on end on the Guelph Storm bus.
And it appears that Poitras has taken his coach’s remarks to heart based on his behavior in the Boston team room on Monday morning.
“Have fun and smile,” Poitras said. “I mean, I’m an NHL player. Here, there are no bad days. I’m enjoying myself. Just keep a smile on my face and give the boys some enthusiasm.
Of course, during his first encounter with NHL competition, Poitras’ excitement and intensity were bound to waver at times.
Poitras has spent the better part of a third period on the pine for the second time in as many weeks, this past Saturday.
On December 2, Poitras played just two shifts in the final period of regulation against the Maple Leafs before collecting just 8:26 of ice time versus Arizona. Poitras played just 10:43 minutes in a close game against an Original Six adversary in which Boston twice gave up a one-goal lead.
Poitras’s matinee game against the Coyotes on Saturday seemed to be a perfect opportunity for him to get back on track, especially after Montgomery designated the youngster as a healthy scratch against the Sabres on Thursday in order to preserve his legs.
Despite Pavel Zacha’s upper-body injury that forced him to leave Saturday’s game, which gave Poitras a day off and plenty of pivot minutes to play with, the teenager ended up back in Montgomery’s doghouse.
Boston’s deficit was reduced to one goal in the second period of play against Arizona when Poitras coughed up a puck in the neutral zone, which Michael Carcone quickly wristed past Linus Ullmark. To Poitras’ credit, though, the rookie quickly atoned for his error.
Poitras forced a turnover against Clayton Keller, the standout forward for the Coyotes, during another struggle along the boards in the neutral zone, and eventually sent the biscuit up the ice toward teammate Danton Heinen.
Less than six minutes after Carcone’s goal, Heinen skated into Arizona’s zone and sent a puck past goalkeeper Connor Ingram to give Boston some breathing room once more.
When you take into account Poitras’ quicker path to the NHL, the Bruins are generally happy with his performance there. Poitras has scored 12 points overall and lit the lamp five times in his 25 games with Boston, averaging 14:04 of ice time per game.
Poitras’ poise with the puck is visible in the offensive zone even in games where he registers zeros on the scoresheet. His ability to shake from a poor shift or mistake has also kept him from losing confidence in the long run.
Montgomery described Poitras as a 19-year-old who is “doing really good things to help the Bruins be 18-5.” And difficulties are going to arise. Everyone has challenges, after all. Even David Pastrnak faces difficulties. We make an effort to convey to him our strong belief in him as well as the need for him to keep developing. And his long record of success as a Bruin is entwined with those two things.
Poitras doesn’t lack confidence, but these setbacks and growing pains in his progress haven’t surprised him.
Whether he is a fourth-line grinder like Johnny Beecher or a future franchise pillar like Connor Bedard of Chicago, all rookie NHL players have to overcome certain obstacles in order to establish themselves in this league.
“Never are there easy nights,” stated Poitras. I mean, I’m going to keep trying to do my thing and I’m still confident in my abilities. Adversity is a part of every season and every game. However, I still feel quite assured. Well, anyway. I’ve always been the type of guy that enjoys offensive plays and taking a few chances, but I believe there is a proper moment for everything.
“I believe that as the game progresses, I want the coaches to believe in me and give me opportunities. I have to be able to simplify my play and add pucks when necessary when we are trailing late in the game.
Poitras’ NHL debut season hasn’t been without its share of ups and downs.
However, Boston’s top-six center of the future has won over his more experienced colleagues with his ability to remain composed in the face of difficulty.
Jake DeBrusk stated of Poitras, “I think the biggest advice for him obviously is just keep doing what you’re doing.” “It’s one of those things where it’s easy to get shot and a really hard league to have confidence in,” the analyst said. Keep your eyes off the outside noise. If he does, I informed him, all he has to do is Google up my name; you’ll feel much better about himself.
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