Hockey is a funny sport sometimes.
The Toronto Maple Leafs entered Saturday’s contest at TD Garden with a perfect road record of 6-0-0. In their six contests away from Scotiabank Arena, the Maple Leafs were averaging just over five goals per road game.
The Maple Leafs came out buzzing, putting 20 shots on goal in the game’s opening period. But David Pastrnak didn’t care about any of the above.
With the Bruins severely being outshot 20-5, Pastrnak rushed into the corner after a Brad Marchand faceoff loss, won a puck battle, took the open space given to him and made a pass to Patrice Bergeron that Bergeron deposited into the Maple Leafs net, giving the Bruins a 1-0 lead.
The play was something that I don’t think we would have seen from Pastrnak in previous years.
“I think honestly, just stronger on the puck, before he would try his one-on-one moves and get pushed off of it, head coach Bruce Cassidy said. “I don’t think he had the strength to stay on the battle like Marshy [Brad Marchand] does for example. So he gets second and third effort opportunities to make plays. I think it’s just physical maturity to be honest with you.”
Pastrnak’s assist wasn’t the only bright spot for the 22-year old who registered his third career hat trick, second hat trick of the season and third four point game. He’s done all this in 16 games. Saturday’s hat trick gives Pastrnak a league leading 15 goals.
Sure, the 15 tallies in 16 games is amazing for Pastrnak, but it’s everything else he’s doing on the ice that has been impressive.
We know the offensive talent is there, we’ve seen it from Pastrnak since his rookie campaign. But there’s no denying that through 16 games, Pastrnak has taken a massive step forward in his all-around game.
“Yeah, you know that’s something I think that he’s worked on a lot in the last few years and he’s really developing his game all-around like you’re saying,” said linemate Patrice Bergeron. “It pays dividends for him and for our line. It’s great to see and he’s obviously you know a great talent and he’s got great smarts and he’s so good at getting open. So when you add being tenacious on the puck and winning battles that makes a big difference.”
As Cassidy mentioned above, and I noted
in an earlier blog this season, Pastrnak is doing a lot of things different on the ice than he was in previous years and it’s been very noticeable. It’s also been a big key to the line’s success as a unit.
[Pastrnak is a] "little more willing to hang around the front of the net, that’s a Bergy [Bergeron] effect. He’s built that into both his wingers, ‘hey when it’s your turn to get there, get there,’ they’re not going to live there,” added Cassidy.
When Cassidy inserted Pastrnak to the right of Marchand and Bergeron on a more permanent role a season ago, too often Bergeron and Marchand had to cover for Pastrnak’s miscues. But as he and his game has matured and developed, those miscues are much less often this season.
And because of that, the line has dominated to the tune of 29 goals, and 35 assists.
“Yeah, he’s had years where he’s come out really hot, scored a lot of goals and kind of tapered off, but the confidence level he has right now, the way he is shooting the puck, I don’t think it’s going to end,” said Marchand. “He’s an incredible player, he has a ton of talent and he’s figuring the game out now which is making him even more dangerous. It’s been a lot of fun to watch him.”
I very much agree with Marchand that it’s hard to see Pastrnak’s confidence and torrid start coming to an end anytime soon. But if, and when it does, as along as Pastrnak continues to do those little things,—both with and without the puck—the Bergeron line should continue to carry the Bruins on their backs.
Saturday was Pastrnak’s best game of the season. That’s saying something for a guy who had 12 goals entering Saturday.
Cassidy attributes Pastrnak’s all-around growth to two factors.
“So, I think it’s those two things. A little more net presence and just physically stronger,” said Cassidy.
Pastrnak didn’t disagree with his head coach.
“Yeah, I mean, like I feel good physically and I felt good today – to be honest it was the first time after a while since I’ve felt good.”
When asked what he did differently today to feel good, Pastrnak’s answer was simple.
“No, I mean, like physically I felt better and I don’t know what I did differently. A good dinner maybe, a good breakfast, say a couple of swear words and went to bed,” he said with a laugh.
Swear away Pastrnak, it's working quite well.
Boston Bruins Blogger • 
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