By: Chad Jones | Follow me on Twitter/X @ShutUpChadJones
Before the Boston Bruins took on the New York Rangers at TD Garden Saturday, the National Hockey League announced that David Pastrnak was named the First Star of the Month for January. In 14 games, Pastrnak was sensational, potting 11 goals and corralling 13 helpers. He was involved in a whopping 58.5% of the Bruins’ goals.
After the announcement, Boston was slated to host New York for a nationally televised audience. With all eyes on him, Pastrnak put on a scintillating performance.
Pastrnak got on the scoresheet by picking up a secondary assist on Charlie McAvoy’s first period power-play goal. From the right point, he laid the puck to Pavel Zacha, who was positioned in the right face-off circle. With Boston playing five against three, Pastrnak recognized a way to give McAvoy more ice to work with. He drifted closer to the right face-off circle, giving Zacha even more room to find McAvoy. The defenseman promptly blasted a one-timer past Igor Shesterkin to give Boston a 1-0 lead.
Later in the period, with the score tied at one aside, Matt Poitras got the puck in deep and went to battle with Adam Fox. Pastrnak saw an open lane to the slot and drifted into the prime scoring area. Poitras then out-worked Fox and laid the pass perfectly to Pastrnak, who quickly snapped the puck into the back of the net to reclaim the lead for the Bruins.
Early in the final frame, Boston was protecting a 4-2 lead. Pastrnak delivered a solid hit on Reilly Smith to knock the puck free just inside New York’s blue line. Poitras pounced on the loose puck before laying a pass right in the forward’s wheelhouse. Pastrnak then unleashed an old-fashioned slap shot, which was too hot for Shesterkin to handle.
For good measure, Pastrnak put the game on ice with an empty net goal to secure the hat trick and a 6-3 victory for Boston. Pastrnak celebrated his 18th career hat trick as the chapeaus rained down onto the ice. That places the forward second all-time in Bruins history behind Phil Esposito, who accomplished the feat 26 times while dawning the Spoked-B.
After an incredible month of January, Pastrnak continues to carry Boston’s offense. He is racking up points at an elite level, regardless of who he finds himself on the ice with. On Saturday, he was the beneficiary of multiple slick feeds from Poitras.
“He had a great game today,” Pastrnak said of Poitras to the media postgame. “My first goal, that’s all him. Winning the puck on the forecheck and sliding it right to me in the front all alone. Great game by him; honestly, that’s his specialty. He’s very strong on the puck for his size. He hangs on to it.”
Despite the opponents’ ability to key in on him, Pastrnak has driven Boston’s offensive attack. He has been nothing short of sensational for this Bruins squad, which has struggled to find consistent offense this season. Pastrnak deserved the NHL’s First Star of January, and his value to Boston cannot be overstated.
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