Somehow this:
Turned into this:
What amazes me about this play is how Pastrnak collected the puck in his own zone, turned the play in transition and turned a play that didn't look too threatening, to a beauty of a shot and goal.
There was one noticeable difference in this play, compared to similar ones in years past. What we've come to know from Pastrnak is in these types of situations, is an attempt at a deke, maybe through his legs, or maybe through the defensemans. More often than not, the deke attempt would fail, the puck would be turned over and out goes the puck, giving the opposition offensive possession.
But no, instead Pastrnak picked his spot and executed a perfect snipe.
Standing alone on the other side of the ice, Tuukka Rask gets the privilege of watching Pastrnak do his work. He certainly enjoyed watching the play unfold.
"I mean, I don’t know, just wow," Rask said after the Bruins 8-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings Saturday afternoon at TD Garden. "Kind of like that goal last game. Just kind of…he’s kind of sneaky".
Pastrnak followed up his 99th career goal with goals 100 and 101.
"Yeah, I mean it’s, you know, very… make me happy, you know," said Pastrnak. "It’s been quick, and I’m glad that I, you know, I get to be a part of this and enjoying every moment of playing here."
You can see that on the ice Pastrnak is always having fun, it's part of what makes him such a special player. With 101 goals in just 259 games, Pastrnak is trying not to think about the success he has had in his young career.
I mean, you know, I don’t really think about it [his success]," said Pastrnak. "I just go out there and play hockey, and how I said, enjoy every moment on the ice. Trying to get better every practice and every game, and just, you know, having fun. I love the game and I’m not focusing on if I’m going to score a goal or three."
Saturday's hat trick was the third of his career. Pastrnak has shown skill from day one, and he's improved his game with each new season. But if these five games are any indication, this year is set to be a special one for Pastrnak.
"Well, listen he’s growing up. He’s trying to get everyone involved and that’s part of being a
good teammate. In the second period he had a turnover to and really hustled back. Parts of his
game are growing, and his shot is too," said head coach Bruce Cassidy.
"Like last year he had a lot of great one-timer goals but this year he seems to be even more on with it, like that was a great block right before he scored, so he’s hitting it well. I just like the fact that he’s trying to keep everyone involved in those plays and trying to be a good team player and good 200-foot player. Again, shows that he’s trying to grow his game and that’s what all the good players do."
The 22-year old Pastrnak is in year two of a six-year deal that comes with a $6.66 million cap hit. There is a real good chance that in a season or two, we will be looking at this contract as the best value in hockey.
Pastrnak has developed into one of the game's top right wingers. Since coming into the league in 2014-15, Pastrnak ranks 9th among right wingers with 101 goals scored. However, Pastrnak has played significantly less games than the eight right wingers above him.
Pastrnak has appeared in 259 games, while the eight right wingers ahead of him have played in 324, 316, 312, 318, 332, 311, 302 and 329 games respectively. When you take Pastrnak and the top eight goal scoring right wingers and break it down by goals per 60 minutes, Pastrnak comes in third, scoring 1.42 goals per 60, ranked behind Vladimir Tarasenko and Nikita Kucherov.
He enters play Monday night second in the league in goals with seven, three behind Toronto's Auston Matthews.
Boston Bruins Blogger • 
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