Already a 2024 All Star and in the thick of the Hart Trophy race at the midway point of the 2023-24 season, David Pastrnak earned yet another honor Monday, with the B’s superstar named the NHL’s Second Star of the Week for the week ending Jan. 21.
The latest ‘star’ honor for Pastrnak comes after a three-game week that saw Pastrnak record five goals and two assists, while the Bruins as a team rattled off three straight victories, including a nine-goal pummeling of the rival Canadiens this past Saturday night at TD Garden.
Jan 18, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) reacts after scoring a goal during the third period against the Colorado Avalanche at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports)
The obvious highlight of Pastrnak’s five-goal week came in last Thursday’s victory over the Avalanche, which saw Pastrnak torch Colorado for three goals in a hard-fought, high-quality victory.
It was Pastrnak who set the tone with a goal in the opening minute of the first period of play, and with a relentless offensive-zone shift against the Avs’ Cale Makar, and it was Pastrnak who put the game away with a third-period strike that extended Boston’s lead and ultimately put a frustrated Avs club to bed.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 15: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins takes a shot against the New Jersey Devils during the first period at TD Garden on January 15, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
But sandwiched around the hat trick against the Avs was an absolute bomb of an insurance blast against the Devils in Boston’s MLK Day matinee victory at TD Garden, as well as a pretty strike that included a banging of his own rebound in the third period of last Saturday’s blowout victory over the Habs.
Biggest growth in David Pastrnak's game these last few years has to be his strength on the puck.
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) January 21, 2024
Holds off a defender on his back and knocks home his 30th goal of the season.
6-4 Bruins. pic.twitter.com/Ke3RK1egkIPastrnak finished Saturday’s win over Montreal with a goal and an assist, and was one of 16 Bruins to finish the night with a goal or an assist (a team record).
Jan 9, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) celebrates with teammates after scoring a a power-play goal against in the first period against the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena. (Matt Kartozian/USA TODAY Sports)
Boston’s undeniable MVP through 45 games this year, Pastrnak leads the Bruins in goals (30), assists (36), and points (66), as well as points per game (1.47), even-strength goals (20), even-strength points (39), power-play goals (10), and power-play points (27). Pastrnak has also had a direct hand (a goal or an assist) in over 42 percent of the Black and Gold’s total team production as an offense this season, too.
The 27-year-old is currently paced for what would be a 55-goal and 120-point season. The Bruins have not had a player hit the 120-point mark in a season since Adam Oates recored 142 points in 1992-93.
