Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak isn’t scoring on the fee he did the earlier two seasons. In reality, Pastrnak at the moment is on tempo to complete with beneath 30 objectives for the primary time because the shortened 2020-21 season.
However the Bruins star served up a reminder Saturday night time that he can nonetheless make a monumental offensive impression even when he’s not discovering the again of the online.
Pastrnak turned in a four-point exhibiting in Boston’s much-needed 5-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Area. The 28-year-old dished out three assists and tallied a aim, too, giving the Bruins, who’ve been challenged offensively this season, a significant spark.
“His recreation is all-around,” Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco informed reporters, per team-provided audio. “Everyone knows that. He can rating, he can cross, the power to make performs. Clearly getting him getting into the best path offensively is a big increase for our staff.”
Pastrnak arrange Boston’s two first-period objectives and his third helper simply 1:12 into the second body was a factor of magnificence. He gathered a puck alongside the boards within the impartial zone and despatched an ideal, backhanded lead cross to Pavel Zacha, who received behind the Canucks protection earlier than scoring.
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The three-assist night time put Pastrnak into unique firm as he turned the eleventh participant in franchise historical past to notch 400 profession assists. Pastrnak added a wraparound tally simply seconds into the third interval for good measure as he has 10 factors in seven video games this month.
He may not be scoring with the identical regularity this season, however the three-time All-Star definitely continues to be making successful performs.
“He’s so gifted, he’s so expert and similar factor, he works on his recreation greater than any of us,” Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman informed reporters, as seen on NESN postgame protection. “It’s actually superior to see him get rewarded and we all know he’s going to return up massive each time.”
Listed here are extra notes from Saturday’s Bruins-Canucks recreation:
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— Brad Marchand trolled Canucks followers after he scored on the ability play to present Boston a 1-0 lead simply 5:12 into the competition. Canucks followers boo’d the Bruins captain every time he touched the puck, so throughout his aim celebration, Marchand put his hand to his ear after he silenced the gang.
— Sacco inserted Marc McLaughlin again into the lineup after being a wholesome scratch in opposition to the Seattle Kraken and the Billerica, Mass., native got here by together with his first aim of the season. McLaughlin received some puck luck as his shot deflected in to beat Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko.
“It feels actually good,” McLaughlin informed reporters, as seen on NESN postgame protection. “Clearly a fortuitous bounce there. However an incredible play by (Andrew Peeke) stepping up on the wall of their wing and simply throwing it on web.”
— It was the primary time enjoying in Vancouver for former Canucks Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov since signing long-term offers with the Bruins within the offseason. Lindholm notched an help on Marchand’s aim and Zadorov was second amongst all Bruins defenseman with 23:04 of ice time. Zadorov skated alongside Charlie McAvoy on Boston’s prime defensive pairing.
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— Jeremy Swayman had a bounce-back efficiency after permitting a career-high eight objectives in his final begin in opposition to the Winnipeg Jets. Swayman completed with 19 saves. However the netminder’s greatest contribution might need come on the finish of morning skate when he established good vibes by main the staff in a gaggle hug.
“I wasn’t leaving the ice with no group hug,” Swayman informed reporters with a smile. “It’s an ideal time for it. All of us love one another on this locker room and simply to indicate that on the ice that right this moment’s a brand new day, solar rose right this moment and we’re going to guarantee that we’re all on this collectively, ups and downs of all of it. So, we’re going to maintain hugging, that’s for positive.”
— The Bruins proceed their West Coast highway journey Tuesday after they tackle the Calgary Flames. Puck drop from Scotiabank Saddledome is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET, and you may watch the sport, plus an hour of pregame protection, on NESN.
