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Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

David Pastrnak scored a hat trick and reached 100 points for the first time in his career on Saturday, powering the Boston Bruins to a 4-3 road win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

With the three goals, Pastrnak reached 56 on the season, the most in a single campaign since Phil Esposito scored 61 in 1974-75. He finished the hat trick and game-winner off a classic one-timer from David Krejci, as he floated toward open ice in the slot and the Pens’ defenders seemingly lost him for a second. Pastrnak and Krejci had just enough time to make them pay.

  • As we rewind to the first period … the Bruins opened the scoring on the power play, as the units continue to show signs of life amid an extended slump. For the second straight game, it was Pavel Zacha’s dynamic playmaking that set up the goal. This time it was a diving no-look backhand pass from the “bumper” spot to Charlie McAvoy, who finished it into the open net to make it 1-0 Bruins.

    It was just McAvoy’s second power play goal of the season, and the first time since Jan. 24 that he scored a power play point in consecutive games.

  • The Bruins weren’t able to protect their lead, which became something of a theme throughout the game. Just 1:13 after McAvoy’s goal, the Penguins got one right back off the stick of Bryan Rust, who finished a sneaky backhand feed from Sidney Crosby to tie it 1-1.

  • But that was when Pastrnak started to do Pastrnak things. The first of his three goals came on another man advantage, marking the first time since Dec. 19 against the Florida Panthers that the B’s scored multiple power play goals in a game.

    Pastrnak tipped a hard backhand from Dmitry Orlov into the net for his 54th of the season. He became the first Bruin to hit 100 points since Brad Marchand scored exactly 100 in 2018-19.

  • Rust tried not to be outdone by Pastrnak, potting his second goal of the game just 4:09 into the third period. He got a little help from McAvoy on this one, as the Bruins defenseman fell and slid into goaltender Jeremy Swayman, allowing Rust’s shot to trickle in and tie it 2-2.

  • Less than three minutes later, Pastrnak answered with goal No. 55. He ripped a missile of a one-timer off a setup from Zacha along the half-boards, and the puck hit the back crossbar.

    Play momentarily continued, as the lamp didn’t light up and the officials didn’t rule a goal, but the replay showed that Pastrnak clearly scored.

  • Penguins forward Jake Guentzel later scored perhaps the most controversial goal of the game, firing it past Swayman from the slot. But the Bruins challenged for goaltender interference, as it appeared that Crosby had impeded Swayman’s ability to do his job before the goal. The officials didn’t have the balls to call that on Crosby on his home ice, so the goal stood.

  • The play only set the stage for Pastrnak’s game-winner just over five minutes later. The Penguins had a power play and empty net for a 6-on-4 situation in the final minute, and threatened, but couldn’t tie it one last time. Boston held on to improve to 59-12-5 on the season, leaving them three wins shy of the single-season NHL wins record with six games to go.

    Up Next: The Bruins have yet another weekend back-to-back, as they will head out to St. Louis for a Sunday afternoon matchup with the Blues.

  • Click here for complete Boston Bruins coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

    Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

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