Jaffe: “If you don’t embrace what’s happening now, you’re missing out!”

The Boston Bruins registered their 80th point of the season with a 4-2 victory over the Montreal Canadians Tuesday night. Forward David Pastrnak had a hand in all four goals, finishing with 3 assists and a score. The Black-and-Gold are having a record-breaking year, with the team already in comfortable striking distance from a 100-point season.

Billy Jaffe, on-air hockey analyst for NESN, joined Toucher & Rich Wednesday morning to break down the team’s revamped offense, Jake DeBrusk’s fibula injury and David Pastrnak’s uber-stardom.

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  Jan 24, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron (37) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sport

• How good are the Bruins, really?

  Jaffe: Think about it, 100 points basically guarantees you a playoff spot. You could be as low as 90 points, but for argument’s sake, let’s just use 100. That means they need ten more wins! It’s absurd. No, it really is. It’s crazy, but it’s fun.

  You’ve got to enjoy this. If you don’t go out and absolutely embrace what’s happening right now, you’re missing out! They got four tough games coming up. So, what? That’s what you want, actually, right now. 

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  Jan 24, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins forward Taylor Hall (71) celebrates with teammate forward David Pastrnak (88) after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sport

• What's the outlook on DeBrusk's injury?

  Jaffe: It’s a less significant [bone] break, if that’s the correct term. It says that he’s a good healer, too. Since day one, the Bruins have been all over him for both the hand and the leg [injuries], but he’s working hard. They have no reason to rush him back. They will not rush him back.  

  Whenever he’s ready to go, with how much he’s meant to this team, they’re going to put him in. This year, his success started with the breakouts through the neutral zone. We watched it through training camp. Then things turned into, ‘You can almost lead the play if you get the puck back. Go!’ Now, that’s almost been the challenge for guys, don’t hold back, get in motion.  

  That’s the thing about the Bruins. They’ve had more offensive zone movement this year than we’re used to seeing. It’s the subtle things, but it’s fun to watch. 

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  BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 02: Jake DeBrusk #74 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period in the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park on January 02, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

• Is David Pastrnak a true superstar?

  Jaffe: Look, there’s so many faces of this franchise, right? Bergeron is the premiere one right now. You also have Marchand and McAvoy. With Pastrnak and his persona—  

  Rich: —he’s a superstar.  

  Jaffe: No, he’s an uber-star. He’s reached that next level of being physically and mentally stronger. His battle level is great. His ability to finish with the puck is, now, even better than it had been before. If you do a breakdown of how he’s scoring different types of shots, you’ll see that it’s so multidimensional. 

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  Jan 2, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) skates during warmups before a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2023 Winter Classic ice hockey game at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

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