By: Tom Calautti | @TCalauttis
Last night was all about David Pastrnak as the Boston Bruins held off the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 5-3 victory. The win marked the team’s seventh consecutive victory and propelled them into a tie with Montreal for first place in the Atlantic Division. Here’s how it all went down.
Pastrnak’s Historic Night
The Bruins jumped out to a 3-1 lead thanks to a flurry of goals in the first period. It didn’t take them long to add to that lead in the second; that’s when David Pastrnak further etched himself into Bruins history. Morgan Geekie sprung his linemate on a breakaway, and Pastrnak completed a backhand-forehand move to beat goaltender Dennis Hildeby for his 400th career goal.
“It was awesome,” said Geekie of the milestone. “I mean, we all knew it was coming sooner or later, and, you know, he’s a special player. We’re lucky we get to see that day-in and day-out…super special, it was awesome that all the guys (came out onto the ice) and we got to share that moment together.”
After Pastrnak’s record-breaking tally, his teammates poured onto the ice and embraced their leader. It was a special moment for the organization and an even more important one for the Czech forward.
“It was very special, I didn’t expect it,” said Pastrnak following the victory. “I didn’t even know it was allowed, honestly, for 400 goals, so I was worried we were going to get a penalty. I think that’s exactly when it hit me, when the guys came (onto the ice).”
It was a momentous occasion for everyone in attendance, and head coach Marco Sturm made sure to acknowledge just how important it was for the team, organization, and the fans.
“(Pastrnak) is obviously a special player. To score 400 goals in this league that’s pretty amazing, so we were all really happy for him,” said Sturm. “Everyone was so happy about his milestone. Because he’s such a good guy, it means a lot to everyone here, not just our team, but also the organization and the fans.”
Pastrnak added to his career goal total in the third period, notching his 401st tally to extend Boston’s lead to 5-3. He is now the sixth Bruin all-time to reach 400 goals and sits one score behind Rick Middleton for fifth all-time in franchise history.
Power-Play Supremacy
As I mentioned before, the Bruins got off to a red-hot start against the Leafs, potting three first-period goals (including two power-play tallies) to jump out to an early lead. The first came off the shin pads of Pavel Zacha at 4:27 of the first period when Pastrnak faked a shot and sent a cross-ice feed that deflected off his fellow countryman. The goal was Zacha’s fifth of the season, and it came with assists from Pastrnak (12) and McAvoy (13).
The Leafs added a shorthanded goal to even the score in the opening frame, then Boston’s second power play unit retook the lead. Hampus Lindholm took a Mason Lohrei feed at the top of the left circle and rifled a wrister top corner to put Boston up 2-1.
Toronto made a push late in the game and was able to cut Boston’s lead to 4-3. The Bruin power-play went back to work near the halfway point of the third period, and that’s where Pastrnak buried his 401st career goal to regain a two-goal lead.
Contributions from Everywhere
The headline of the night may be about Pastrnak’s historic performance, but make no mistake, this was a total team win by the Boston Bruins. Ten different skaters registered a point, and four different goal scorers got on the board as the Black and Gold prevailed over their division rivals.
Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm were key contributors to this one, each registering two points in the contest. McAvoy’s two assists give him 14 points for the season, which ties him for the fourth-most points in the league among defensemen. Lindholm’s first-period goal was his first since November 7, 2024, and he added an assist to bring his point total up to 1-4-5 in ten games.
The Bruins have now won seven in a row and eight of nine, and they feel like they’re just beginning to turn a corner.
“It’s always much better when you get the win…I think the way we played today, 5-on-5, was awesome,” said Pastrnak. “I thought we dominated. We have to keep it going, we know the recipe now.”
The Bruins will travel to Ottawa on Thursday to face the Senators.
Game Notes
- Alex Steeves, who spent four seasons in the Leafs organization, scored his first as a Bruin. He’s the second former Leaf (Fraser Minten) to light the lamp against his former team in as many games.
- Charlie McAvoy now has 0-8-8 in his last six games.
- Boston’s power play went 3-6 on the night and is now clicking at exactly 50 percent, tied for eighth in the league.
- Mason Lohrei has three points in his last two games and is now up to 1-8-9 in 13 games this season.
- Tanner Jeannot registered the secondary assist on Pastrnak’s second goal of the game, giving him 100 points for his career.
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