The time could have come for Matt Poitras to search out some everlasting digs in Boston.
The 19-year-old rookie has been attempting to show that he belongs within the National Hockey League as a substitute of again together with his Canadian junior group in Guelph, and he made the most effective case doable on Sunday night time in Anaheim.
Poitras scored his first two profession objectives within the third interval to elevate the B’s to a 3-1 come-from-behind win over the Ducks in Anaheim. Linus Ullmark continued his stellar early season play by stopping 30-of-31 photographs and the B’s improved to 5-0, their greatest begin for the reason that 1937-38 season.
While no official determination has been made — the B’s have 4 extra video games to determine whether or not to burn the primary 12 months of {the teenager}’s entry degree deal — it’s trying increasingly like Poitras’ days with the Guelph Storm are accomplished. Poitras struggled in his first sport of this street journey in San Jose however he’s bounced again impressively within the two wins in southern California.
“He’s a hockey player. He competes, he believes in himself, he’s always looking to hang on to pucks to make plays that are going to produce offense,” coach Jim Montgomery instructed reporters in Anaheim. “I think he has a nose for the puck. The puck kind of follows him around and that’s what happens with guys who are good offensive hockey players. They’ve got a nose for where the puck’s going.”
Before Poitras struck, it appeared the sport was getting away from the B’s.
The Ducks had damaged a scoreless tie at 5:05 of the third interval off the frenzy. Kevin Shattenkirk bought caught attempting to pinch and the Ducks have been off to the races. Eventually, Mason MacTavish cleaned a up a Ryan Strome move on a 2-on-1.
But the B’s tied it up simply 1:24 afterward a momentous aim. Poitras had been the B’s most inventive participant from the second interval on .But at 6:29, he was the recipient of a candy feed. Off a great cross-ice move from Ian Mitchell, Morgan Geekie took the puck in deep on his off wing and made a reasonably backhand move to Poitras, who deposited his first NHL aim into a large open internet.
“I was getting a little tired starting the third and as soon as that one went in, the juice went right to the legs. It felt great,” mentioned the beaming Poitras
The child wasn’t accomplished.
Poitras gave the B’s the lead at 10:20. This time he parked himself on the proper facet of the online from the place he was capable of elevate a rebound of a Jake DeBrusk shot over goalie John Gibson for the 2-1 lead.
Brad Marchand then gave the B’s a two-goal cushion with an empty internet aim with 2:34 left in regulation, taking the life out of Anaheim.
The B’s had some first rate possibilities within the first interval and almost took the lead proper off the bat. On an early penalty kill, Jake DeBrusk had a clear breakaway and had Gibson overwhelmed however the shot clanged off the put up.
The B’s additionally had three power-play possibilities and their assault bought stronger with every likelihood, however Gibson (23 saves) was stable in internet.
In the second interval, the Ducks began to wrest management of the circulation because the B’s bought too free, permitting Anaheim to realize the zone with velocity, however Linus Ullmark made all of the required stops.
The B’s, outshot within the second interval 11-5, lastly bought a few possibilities late within the interval. Poitras stole the puck behind the Anaheim internet and arrange Shattenkirk for a fantastic scoring likelihood that Gibson devoured up. David Pastrnak additionally arrange Pavel Zacha for a great likelihood however Gibson didn’t give him any room on the shortside.
The sport finally turned within the B’s favor within the third interval, and the extra veteran B’s appeared to get pleasure from Poitras’ huge second as a lot because the rookie did.
“Oh, it’s fun,” mentioned a grinning Ullmark. “He’s young and it’s inspiring as well. We all try to give him a hard time sometimes but he ‘s a great kid and we’re very fortunate and very happy to have him on our team.”
*Jake DeBrusk was again within the lineup in opposition to the Ducks after being scratched for Saturday’s sport in Los Angeles as a result of he was late for a group assembly. Coach Jim Montgomery mentioned DeBrusk “handled it like a pro” and that the matter is behind them.
“There’s just a standard we believe in here and and when that standard isn’t met, there’s repercussions. But yesterday’s over with. It’s a new day and we’re moving forward,” Montgomery instructed reporters in Anaheim earlier than the sport.
After the sport, DeBrusk took accountability for his fake pas.
“We have a high standard on this team and we have a higher standard than people give credit for. I broke a team rule and I understand there’s consequences with that and I own up to it completely,” mentioned DeBrusk. “I let the guys down. I wanted to join them in LA on Saturday and having to watch really sucked. I felt it and I just wanted to do anything I could to help the team out (Sunday) in any way. Obviously, things happen fast and it is what it is, but at the same time, I’m just focused on tonight. I’m proud to be a Bruin for all the standards we have here and it is what it is. I don’t have a rebuttal or anything on it.”
*A few B’s veterans have been nicked up and needed to sit on Sunday. Milan Lucic, who picked up the first help on Morgan Geekie’s aim in opposition to the Kings when he took Derek Forbort’s shot off his proper foot, needed to take the night time off, as did Forbort, who has been battling a groin harm.
*Matt Grzelcyk needed to go away the sport briefly within the first interval when he took an enormous hit from Sam Carrick within the offensive slot however he was capable of return.
*Trent Frederic bumped into a giant Radko Gudas verify late within the second interval and needed to go to the room however he returned to start out the third interval.
Source: www.bostonherald.com