Jim Montgomery Is Mistreating The Bruins Star Prospect

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Austin Sabourin
December 12, 2023 (0:08)

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In Matthew Poitras' rookie season with the Boston Bruins, the 19-year-old forward has earned praise for his contributions to the team's success. Despite a breakout training camp and preseason, Poitras has faced limited opportunities in late-game situations when the Bruins are ahead.

A notable instance occurred in a recent matinee game against the Arizona Coyotes. Despite losing Pavel Zacha early in the game, the Bruins relied on various players to secure the lead, with notable ice time given to Charlie Coyle, Morgan Geekie, and Trent Frederic. Surprisingly, Poitras played only 8:26 and was benched for the entire third period.

This decision came after Poitras was a healthy scratch in a previous game, part of a planned rest day to aid his development. Head coach Jim Montgomery explained the strategy, stating,

"This is an opportunity for him to build some strength and rest into his program."

However, when the Bruins needed players to step up in the following game, Poitras remained on the bench. Montgomery justified the decision by emphasizing the importance of game management and the need to field players who can contribute to winning. He stated,

"It's valuing game management is something that we've talked to him about. And it's still lacking in his game right now. We're paid to win hockey games and I'm gonna go with the guys that I think are gonna win us a hockey game."

Montgomery elaborated on his perspective, specifying how he saw the game script playing out. He noted,

"It's a demanding position for us. Especially down low. I figured we were gonna spend a lot of time down low in the third period, just with the way they were pressing. That's the way it worked out."

While Poitras continues to navigate his evolving role, Montgomery's emphasis on winning remains a driving force behind lineup decisions. As the young forward develops, finding opportunities to integrate him into critical game situations will likely be a focus for the coaching staff.

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