Did Monday’s shootout win over the Capitals actually tell us anything meaningful about how the Bruins might shape their 2026–27 roster? It’s fair to ask — preseason results don’t always translate, but this one offered a few hints worth paying attention to.
But remember, it has only been one game. Let’s look at the bubble players.
You might be wondering why I’m starting with James Hagens — and the reasoning is pretty straightforward. In certain circles, there’s still chatter about the possibility of him opening the year in Providence, and that kind of buzz is hard to ignore.
It wasn’t flawless, but the skill was obvious — and it’s the kind of skill the Bruins can absolutely use in their lineup. Repetition will be his best teacher, helping him sort out what works and what doesn’t at hockey’s highest level. You could see that learning curve play out in real time. Early on, he tried to force plays that weren’t there, but as the game settled, so did he, adjusting, adapting, and finding different ways to make an impact.
While he delivered the lone shootout goal — and it was a gorgeous one — the real evaluation comes from the 65 minutes that led up to it. Based on that body of work, there’s no question he’s earned a spot on the opening‑night roster. And the fact that he doesn’t require waivers to be assigned to Providence, while others do, shouldn’t factor into the decision at all. This is about performance, not paperwork.
Michael DiPietro was steady throughout, and the backup job remains his to lose — but on this night, he absolutely answered the call. There were a few instances where he slid a bit too far on his movements, yet his puck‑tracking was sharp and kept him dialed in. He kicked out a couple of rebounds he’d probably like back, but it’s one game, and the real test will be how he builds on it.
One thing that stood out: he leaned more on the VH post integration rather than his usual RVH, which left a bit of space over the shoulder. It’s a noticeable adjustment, and you can bet Bob Essensa saw something in his game that prompted the switch.
Matthew Poitras really could not have done any better than he did in this game. He certainly deserves a much longer look in the next three preseason games. He drove his line, made plays and his vision and passing abilities were in full display. Most notably, his play in his own zone showed some marked improvement.
His linemates on this night — Lukas Reichel and Attilio Biasca, both bubble players themselves — had a couple of flashes but never really separated from the pack. Poitras was the engine of that trio, and the numbers back it up. According to Natural Stat Trick, they controlled play when they were on the ice, driven largely by Poitras’ pace, touch, and ability to tilt shifts in his favor.
Once Frederic Brunet settled in and shook off the early nerves, he put together a quietly impressive outing. His offensive instincts weren’t the focal point this time — he kept his game simple — but his defensive growth was unmistakable. The strides he’s made since his QMJHL days are significant enough that the coaching staff trusted him on the penalty kill in the final minute of a tied game. That says plenty about how far he’s come.
With the exception of Charlie McAvoy, Frederic was the one blueliner who truly separated himself on this night. Mason Lohrei, Jonathan Aspirot, and Henry Jokiharju each had moments, but for the most part their performances landed squarely in the “just okay” category. That’s encouraging for Frederic, who continues to trend upward, but it’s far less ideal for Lohrei, who needs to make a far stronger impression if he hopes to secure one of the six starting spots on the back end.
Aside from two or three flashes where Alex Steeves made something happen, he didn’t leave the kind of lasting impression that suggests he should be on the opening‑night roster — or even locked in as the thirteenth or fourteenth forward. On this night, Poitras clearly outpaced him in impact and presence.
Again, it’s only one game and we will have to wait and see what some of the other bubble players do when they get their opportunity.
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