Bruins’ David Pastrnak Continues Ridiculous Season In Win Vs Devils
David Pastrnak has been absolutely absurd since the turn of the calendar year, and he continued his ridiculous season Tuesday in the Boston Bruins’ 7-2 decisive win over the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center.
The prolific goal scorer recorded a goal and two assists in a three-point effort to reach 100 points for the third straight season. Pastrnak is only the third Bruin to reach the milestone, joining Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito. Despite reaching the elite echelon, Pastrnak isn’t quite ready to cherish the accomplishment, especially since the Bruins were eliminated from a postseason berth.
“Well, that’s the worst feel I felt in the last two,” Pastrnak told reporters in New Jersey. “I mean, obviously, we have different circumstances. On the other hand, don’t get me wrong. I don’t take it for granted. It’s hard to score in this league. A big part goes to my linemates, credit to them. It’s tough to comment on it at this point.
“I’m happy we got the win, just hopefully finish the season with good games and making sure we finish string and try to build something moving forward.”
He became the first Czech-born player in NHL history to record 100 points in three consecutive seasons, according to the league.
While Pastrnak has been putting up point after point, his maturity and leadership on and off the ice have grown exponentially this season — especially since the Bruins traded captain Brad Marchand at the trade deadline and defenseman Charlie McAvoy has been sidelined since the 4 Nations break with an upper-body injury.
“Pasta has been really good,” Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco told reporters after the game. “He leads by the way he plays on the ice. He just goes out there every game; he’s just one of those guys. I mean, every team knows what he’s about, but he just continues to drive offenses and make plays. He’s done a really good job of staying consistent over this stretch. Especially with everything that’s been going on here.”
The third point of the night came on a milestone goal for Pastrnak’s linemate. Morgan Geekie lit the lamp for the 30th time of the season — his first career 30-goal season.
The only question is, which of the two will keep the game puck?
“I was trying to get the puck because I wanted him to have it, and he got it first,” Geekie told reporters. “So, I don’t know if I’ll be giving it back to him.
“It’s fitting for sure. I’ve learned a lot from him this year. Playing with (Pavel Zacha), (Elias Lindholm), those two guys throughout the season. I don’t know if you would have told me at the start of the year this is where I would have ended up, but something I’m going to cherish forever for sure and super thankful for, for him especially.”
Pastrnak and Geekie were not the only two Bruins players to reach personal milestones in the win over New Jersey. Defenseman Michael Callahan scored his first NHL goal, and Fabian Lysell recorded his first point with an assist on Casey Mittelstadt’s second-period tally.