Pastrnak inches closer to 50 goals for Bruins in win against Senators
Forward doing 'everything' for Boston with free agency looming
The horror.
Since 2014-15, Pastrnak has been a key cog in the Bruins machine, an ever-evolving and ever-maturing goal-scorer, a star who has come into his own athletically and sartorially, growing up in front of the Boston faithful. And, with 26 games remaining in what has been a historic season for the Bruins, Pastrnak has yet more in his grasp.
Like, say, 50 goals.
Pastrnak scored Nos. 40 and 41 in a 3-1 win against the Ottawa Senators at TD Garden on Monday, the Bruins' fourth straight win and 43rd in 56 games this season. The goals put him within reach of 50, a marker he has yet to reach in his nine seasons in the NHL, with an NHL career high of 48 coming in 2019-20.
"You always want to get better every year," Pastrnak said. "I obviously haven't scored 50 yet. It would obviously be nice. To me, at the same time, I'm here to score goals. It's nice that it's going in and I have unbelievable linemates that are looking for me. It's a big reason why I'm doing so well."
But hanging over the Bruins is the idea that this could be Pastrnak's final season in Boston. He is unsigned for next season and is set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career with the six-year, $40 million contract he signed ($6.67 million average annual value) on Sept. 14, 2017, about to expire.
Pastrnak said at the 2023 Discover NHL All-Star Game that he feels fine about the situation and is unconcerned that he remains unsigned, adding that his agent, J.P. Barry, and Sweeney are in discussions every day about the contract.
Pastrnak is a near-perfect player for the market, a goal-scorer with flair and personality, ready to possibly someday inherit the mantle of face of the franchise from captain Patrice Bergeron. He has scored 281 goals in his Bruins career, along with 300 assists, in 566 games -- and he's just 26 years old.
"I think it's the way that he can do everything," goalie Linus Ullmark said. "He's not just a [one-dimensional] kind of guy. He's got the dangles, he's got the moves. He's very poised, very calm when he has the opportunity. You see the first goal he had today -- a lot of time and then he just picks his corner to rip it."
His first goal came at 17:06 of the second period, with the score 1-1. David Krejci won the face-off back to Pastrnak, who sent it cross-ice to defenseman Charlie McAvoy. McAvoy faked a shot, whirled in a circle, and dished it to Pastrnak on the left face-off dot for the goal. The second came on a pass from McAvoy while on his knees in the defensive zone, springing Pastrnak for the breakaway at 12:10 of the third period.
"Unbelievable plays on both goals of mine," Pastrnak said.
But as much notice as was taken of those two goals, perhaps that much was given to the fact that he didn't attempt to score a third. On a day of celebration for the 1,000th NHL game for Krejci, his fellow Czech Republic native and close friend, Pastrnak passed up a chance at an empty-net goal to give Krejci a shot at scoring.
"For sure, that was my only goal," Pastrnak said, of creating an opportunity for Krejci, who hit the milestone on Jan. 16. "I was looking for him all game."
Had Pastrnak scored, he not only would have netted a hat trick, but would have tied Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid for the NHL lead. To him, that wasn't the important thing.
"It speaks volumes about their friendship and also about the unselfishness on our team," Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said. "It's been like that all year where someone's always trying to help someone else out, not worrying about themselves."
Pastrnak is making a bid for his second Maurice Richard Trophy in the past four seasons, the award given to the top goal-scorer in the NHL. He tied for the lead with those 48 goals in the COVID-19-shortened 2019-20 season with Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin. After Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews won it the past two seasons, it's a race between McDavid, with 42, and Pastrnak with 41. Trailing them are Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson and Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen, each with 36 goals.
McDavid has one goal in his past seven games. Until Monday, Pastrnak was also in a dip, with one goal in his past six games. Monday, though, he was on.
"He was hanging onto pucks a lot," Montgomery said. "His speed was very noticeable. When he's really on, like he was tonight, it jumps out at you. When he has his B game, it still jumps out at you. That's how good he is. He was just ultra-creative. I thought he and Charlie McAvoy were special tonight."
It's exactly the kind of special that the Bruins -- and their fans -- are hoping stays in Boston long beyond this season.
