Pastrnak Aiming to Get Back to a Shoot-First Mentality

BOSTON - David Pastrnak has scored 202 goals in 445 career NHL games.
Since he entered the league in 2014-15, that ranks 10th behind the likes of Alex Ovechkin, John Tavares, Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos, and his longtime linemate Brad Marchand.
He has also ripped 1,430 shots on net during that time, an average of 3.21 per game, which ranks 17th in the NHL.

And while he has registered 4.43 shots on goal so far this season - the eighth highest rate in the league - Pastrnak, who has two goals and three assists in seven games, admits that he may be deferring a bit too much.
"Definitely. But that's just how I am," Pastrnak said following Sunday's practice at Warrior Ice Arena. "Even though I'm a shooter, I always look pass first. I would definitely want to get it out of my game a little bit or at least even it up and make the right decisions…that's the part of when things don't go your way sometimes, you're passing instead of shooting and the opposite.
"I have to get a little bit back to shooting more and definitely getting the opportunity and thinking shot first, especially when things are going a little slower than usual."
Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy noted that it's easy to sit back and ask why a player who nearly scored 50 goals two seasons ago wouldn't shoot the puck every chance he gets, but added that Pastrnak is not just a goal scorer but also a creative player who can dazzle with his skill and speed.
"He seems like he's trying to make plays more than shoot right now," said Cassidy. "I think he's been off net a little bit early on…he'll get better. He cares and he wants to get better. He's in good spirits, it's just getting it to translate on the ice. To me, it's just the shot vs. pass mentality…players go through that stretch."

With the Bruins struggling to generate offense at times so far this season, Cassidy opted to flip Pastrnak and Craig Smith early in Saturday night's contest against the Florida Panthers at TD Garden. Pastrnak bumped down to play with Taylor Hall and Charlie Coyle, while Smith shifted up to skate alongside Marchand and Patrice Bergeron.
Cassidy, however, does not see that tweak as a long-time fix, but rather an option to shake things up from time to time as needed.
"I anticipate he'll be back [with Marchand and Bergeron] Thursday," said Cassidy. "It was just one of those games I thought we were turning some pucks over. It was an opportunity to do different things. Sometimes when you switch lines, guys will complement each other. I thought they all bought in pretty good.
"It wasn't magical by any means, was just something we do every once in a while to change the dynamic of the game. I don't think it really had that much of an outcome on the score, to be honest with you. Guys just battled back and played well as a group no matter who they were with."
Like his coach, Pastrnak is hardly concerned given the Bruins are just seven games into a new season. The 25-year-old, now in the midst of his eighth NHL campaign, is eager to use this latest break in the schedule to work on his game and get back into more of an offensive rhythm.
"I'm just focusing on getting better every day, practicing. It's a long season. It's not going to go your way for a full 82 games," said Pastrnak. "It's just once it doesn't go your way, you have to focus more on the details and kind of sit back and start from the beginning, play simple, and get yourself back into where you feel comfortable.
"I had some slumps during my career so I'm pretty sure I'm experienced enough to know how to handle it these days. I know it's gonna come. I'm just focusing to have fun and the next couple days is great timing. Pretty sure I'll be fine."

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