Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak is one of the NHL’s top goal-scoring wingers and a player who is worth the price of admission more often than not. Pastrnak is quickly approaching 400 career regular season goals and should surpass that mark next season. During this current campaign, the Czech native has had some ups and downs including a slow start offensively as the team was trying to find its way. When times are tough, Pastrnak typically faces some heat from fans and the media. But one area where the gifted scorer does not get enough credit is his ability to bounce back and produce in bunches.
The National Hockey League announced Monday that Pastrnak has been named the NHL First Star of the Week for the week ending January 26. The 2014 first-round draft pick led the NHL in scoring during the week, totaling three goals and five assists for eight points.
Pastrnak scored a goal and added an assist in the team’s 6-3 win against the San Jose Sharks on January 20. Pastrnak’s point streak currently stands at seven games, and he has recorded points in ten of the team’s 12 games in the month of January with 11 goals and 11 assists.
The 6-foot, 200-pound winger has played in all 51 games with the Bruins this season, registering 24 goals and 35 assists for 59 points. Pastrnak leads the team in goals, assists, points, points per game, even-strength goals, even-strength points, power-play goals, and power-play points.
But beyond that, Pastrnak has found chemistry with his linemates Pavel Zacha and Morgan Geekie, with the latter reaping the benefits and on track to set a career-high in goals this season. Pastrnak has withstood criticism for unnecessary turnovers and careless play earlier in the season, and his status as the team’s best player puts him in a position to face scrutiny, whether warranted or not. You could make a case, however, that this could be one of Pastrnak’s more impressive seasons when all is said and done.
Season 4. Episode 39. The Off Season – Bruins Benders Podcast
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