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Boston Bruins: David Pastrnak is dominating the playoffs

By Sam Minton

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 25: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins celebrates after scoring a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period of Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round in the 2018 Stanley Cup play-offs at TD Garden on April 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeat the Maple Leafs 7-4. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 25: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins celebrates after scoring a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period of Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round in the 2018 Stanley Cup play-offs at TD Garden on April 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeat the Maple Leafs 7-4. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Boston Bruins winger, David Pastrnak is having the best postseason in the NHL. He has been one of the driving forces behind the Bruins offense.

You may not realize it but David Pastrnak is leading the NHL in points. All the buzz seems to be about Boston Bruins rookie Jake DeBrusk, but what about the guy we paid $40 million for in the offseason.

One of the impressive parts of Pastrnak’s game has been his passing. It’s fair to say that Pastrnak is looking to put the puck on the net and not on his teammate’s sticks, but so far this postseason has been the exact opposite. “Pasta” has 13 assists in 9 games and leads the NHL in helpers.

Bruce Cassidy believes the winger is just taking what he can get.

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"“He’s just playing what’s in front of him,” said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. “If it’s time to shoot, he’ll shoot. Pasta certainly has the ability to make high-end plays, and I think he thinks shot first a lot, but [Saturday] the plays were there to be made. Look at the backdoor play he made to Jake [DeBrusk] in Game 7 [vs.] Toronto…in the past, I think he’d probably look to pound that, now he’s maybe exploring all of his options. I think he’s stronger on the puck now, so he has it longer. Maybe before he was shooting because he knew he wouldn’t have it long. Now, he’s able to have the confidence to hang onto it knowing he could absorb some of these hits or partial hits and still make the play.”"

A stronger player

Pastrnak has definitely toughened up since he entered the league.  He seemed scared of getting hit at first, but now he is initiating contact. This is allowing him to have more time to look for the open man or even put a little more heat behind his great wrist shot.

We even saw Pastrnak get penalized for cross-checking on Saturday after getting slammed into the boards. It may have cost the Bruins a goal, but it showed the fire that you want to see in your players.

Pastrnak’s growth as a player shows how physicality is an integral part of hockey. You can’t be scared to get hit in the NHL. It will lead to your downfall. Pastrnak has shown that when you embrace physicality your game improves.

Next: Boston Bruins: Late start proves costly in game 2

Pastrnak has been the driving force behind the Bruins offense and has shown that he is worth the $40 million we paid him in the offseason. If the Boston Bruins want to win a Stanley Cup the sauce will have to continue to flow off of “Pasta’s” stick.

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