Pastrnak Scores Hat Trick, Bruins Throttle Leafs 7-3 In Game 2
David Pastrnak made playoff history on Saturday, besting one of Wayne Gretzky’s many NHL records to become the youngest player in history to score six points in a playoff game. “Pasta” finished with a hat trick to go with three assists in the Bruins’ 7-3 win over the Maple Leafs to take a 2-0 lead in their opening round playoff series.
The Bruins scored early and often, netting four goals in the first period. It started with Pastrnak, who gathered a bouncing puck from a Leafs defenseman and backhanded the puck around Leafs starter Frederik Andersen.
.@pastrnak96's ridiculous night began like this. #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/x9vn2gG74Y
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 15, 2018
Jake DeBrusk followed that up just minutes later with his first career playoff goal, tipping the centering pass from Torey Krug past Andersen to make it 2-0.
The Bruins finally chased Andersen from the game when defenseman Kevan Miller scored from an impossible angle to make it 3-0. Attempting to just throw the puck in front of the net and see what happens, it deflected off Leafs defenseman Nikita Zaitsev and over Andersen’s shoulder.
The Leafs didn’t fare much better with backup goalie Curtis McElhinney, though. Parked in front on on a Bruins power play, Rick Nash took a slap-pass from Pastrnak at the point and backhanded it around McElhinney to put the Bruins up 4-0.
The Leafs started to generate more offensive opportunities in the second period. Mitch Marner got Toronto on the board when he finished on a give-and-go with Zach Hyman to make it 4-1. But David Krejci answered with a goal of his own, tipping a Pastrnak point shot to make it 5-1.
The Leafs’ Tyler Bozak made it 5-2 when he one-timed a centering pass from Connor Brown past Rask. Toronto started to gain momentum as the second period drew to a close, but the damage was done. Despite another early surge for the Leafs in the third period, it was Pastrnak who scored the first goal of the period and his second of the game.
After forcing a turnover and sparking a Brad Marchand breakaway bid, Pastrnak took the puck out of the corner and easily lifted it over McElhinney with little-to-no Leafs defenders in sight.
🍝 x 2 pic.twitter.com/HbKepWpAzY
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 15, 2018
James van Riemsdyk tucked in a rebound to make it 6-3, but with only 5:07 left in the game it was too little too late. As it turns out, the Bruins needed every bit of their first-period barrage. Rick Nash ended up with the game-winner.
For good measure, Pastrnak completed his hat trick with just 1:36 left in regulation. In an absolutely scintillating effort, Pastrnak took a centering pass from Marchand and toe-dragged through his legs before backhanding it over McElhinney’s shoulder.
Up Next: The surging Bruins head to Toronto up 2-0 in the series with the Leafs searching for answers. Game 3 is Monday night at Air Canada Centre
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