Over the years, David Pastrnak has become one of hockey’s brightest stars. With an impressive performance Tuesday night, the twenty-three-year-old, continued to dazzle early on. As the Bruins have dealt with injuries and inconsistency, Pastrnak has been the one constant. While his impressive start has come as no surprise, it has reminded fans just how special the young winger is.
With Pastrnak’s goal in the first period, he reached the 300 point mark for his career in just 329 games. In doing so, he became just the fourth player in team history to accomplish the feat in under 350 games. Pastrnak joined an impressive trio that includes Ray Bourque, Bobby Orr, and Barry Pederson.
Additionally, in eight games this season, Pastrnak’s dominance has continued to grow. The former first-round pick has nine goals and six assists, including one game-winning goal. He has been deadly on the man advantage, where he has seven points, including four goals. He also leads the team in points and goals while trailing only Brad Marchand in assists by two.
Furthermore, the veteran has been on a tear since being held scoreless on opening night. In six of the Bruins nine games this season, Pastrnak has recorded two points or more. After spending much of the Bruins playoff run hampered by a finger injury last season, Pastrnak has returned at full strength on a mission.
As the Bruins look to return to the postseason, the play of Pastrnak will be key. He showed in the Bruins victory last night against Toronto, that he is dangerous whenever he has the puck. That is reflected in the fact that he has had 36 or more assists in each of the past three seasons.
Although 300 points is an impressive milestone, it is only the first of many. Pastrnak is a special talent and could have had two goals last night had one not be overturned. He was on pace to reach 50 goals last season had he not missed time due to injury, and he is again on pace to reach that mark and over 100 points for the first time in his career.
Luckily for the Bruins he is under team control for the next four years and one of the leagues most storied franchises wouldn’t have it any other way.
