Pastrnak's Historic Night Propels Bruins

BOSTON- David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron sat side by side at the podium following the Bruins' win over Toronto in Game 2 of the their first-round playoff series on Saturday night.
For the majority of the 10-minute session, the questions ping-ponged between Boston's top liners, but one was posed with the preface that either could deliver the answer. Pastrnak paused for a second, turned slightly to Bergeron, and ceded the response to his elder linemate.
That, however, was just about the only spotlight that Pastrnak was shedding on this night.

The 21-year-old put forth a performance for the record books, with a scintillating six-point, three-goal barrage to propel the Bruins to a 7-3 victory over the Maple Leafs and a 2-0 series lead.
"He's got that confidence growing, so he wants to be the guy, he wants to make those plays. And if we don't have the puck he hunts it back," said Bergeron, who had four assists, including one on each of Pastrnak's tally. "That's what amazes me with him. I think there's a lot of skilled players that are skilled when they have the puck; when they don't have it, they don't necessarily want it as much as this guy right here.
"I think he's taken a tremendous step this year by the way that he plays away from the puck…it's vice versa - we learn just as much playing with him than he's learning from us."

Pastrnak has been immense through the first two games against the Leafs, collecting a league-leading 9 points, which tied Bruins legend Phil Esposito (1969) for the highest point total through two playoff games in NHL history. The Czech Republic native, who led the Bruins with a career-high 35 goals during the regular season, also set or tied three other significant records on the night.
But it is not the fourth-year winger's offensive flare that has been most impressive, according to his teammates. Pastrnak, Boston's first-round pick in 2014, has always had the skill and scoring prowess, but his maturity and development in the less-heralded areas of the game is what's making the difference.
"I think the offensive stuff, we've come to expect," said Torey Krug, who had three assists. "I think everyone's excited when you see him play a complete game. He's chipping pucks out of the zone, he's battling on the boards, he's coming back and taking away plays in the slot, so that gets everyone on the bench going, and we're excited to see that and then he's getting rewarded for it."
That reward came early on Saturday night, as Pastrnak opened the scoring just 5:26 into the contest when he corralled a bouncing puck off a Krug slap pass in the slot. Pastrnak settled the puck, spun around, and backhanded the rubber around Frederik Andersen, setting off a four-goal Bruins beat-down in the first period, during which he also added two assists.
"The first goal I think they tipped it - the pass from Torey - I didn't feel like I could get the shot on the forehand so I just kind of spun onto my backhand and found a little bit of time, so I moved the puck farther and got a good goal," said Pastrnak, who was a plus-5 with four shots on goal in just 15:46 of ice time.

Pastrnak went on to assist on David Krejci's marker that extended Boston's lead to 5-1 at 3:46 of the second, before capping his historic night with a two-goal third period. After Brad Marchand just missed on breakaway attempt, Bergeron tracked down the loose puck in the corner and cycled to Pastrnak.
Pastrnak had miles of open ice to take the puck to the front of the net, where he rifled one by Curtis McElhinney - who had replaced Andersen in goal just 10:51 into the game - for a 6-2 Bruins lead at 12:34. He finished off his hat trick with an obscene, through-the-legs, backhanded tally with 1:46 remaining.
"Hell of a night," said Marchand, the third member of Boston's top line, which has now combined for 20 points in the series. "He is an awesome player. He has been great for us all year. He's progressing, continually working on his game, trying to play the right way. I think that is what has been most impressive about the last couple of games isn't so much in scoring.
"That's great, but it's the way he's playing. He's playing really well defensively, he is chipping pucks in at the right time, so when he plays the right way good things happen for him."

After their 20-point start to the series - and combined plus-14 rating in Game 2 - it's hard to believe the trio actually started the season on separate lines. Pastrnak began the year alongside Krejci, but with injuries dotting the roster and an influx of young talent, Cassidy eventually elected to reunite the winger with Bergeron and Marchand.
It is a decision that has helped turn them into what many believe is the best line in the National Hockey League.
"Terrific and terrific," Cassidy said of the triumvirate's work on the power play and at even strength. "I don't think I can say anymore. I mean, you saw it, right? They were on tonight. Hard to play against - really hard to play against, and they play a 200-foot game."
That style - which Bergeron and Marchand have perfected over nearly a decade together - has clearly rubbed off on Pastrnak, who at this time last year was battling through his first career playoff series, which he finished with two goals and two assists in six games against Ottawa.
"Coaches talk to me every day through the whole season and especially playing with Bergy and Marchy - these guys know what it takes," said Pastrnak. "I wish every young guy got to play with these two players. Take the lessons, what they have for you. For me, it's just about listening to them and I learned a lot, especially this year."
Cassidy certainly concurred.
"More comfortable in NHL playoff hockey, for one," Cassidy said of the difference this time around. "I think he was aware going in that it's not easy, 'So, I'm going to have to make sure I take advantage of my opportunities when I do find the ice.'
"Breakthrough night? It's a good term. You could look back and say it is. I mean, six points in a Stanley Cup Playoff game, with a hat trick? That's special."