Boston Bruins: 5 best moments versus Toronto this decade

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 23: Boston Bruins left defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) leads the Bruins in handshakes after Game 7 of the 2019 First Round Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 23, 2019, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 23: Boston Bruins left defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) leads the Bruins in handshakes after Game 7 of the 2019 First Round Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 23, 2019, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
2 of 6

5. Pastrnak scores a hat trick in Game 2

The Bruins and Leafs met in an epic seven-game playoff series in 2018. The Bruins managed to win the series, largely because of their fast start.

The Bruins came out strong in the first game, but they were virtually unstoppable in the second. The MVP of the game was David Pastrnak.

Pastrnak recorded his first ever playoff hat trick in Game 2. The Bruins finished with seven goals; Pastrnak scored or assisted on six of them!

Toronto’s defense was definitely a weakness heading into the series, and Pastrnak exploited it all night.

His first goal was an awesome display of skill in front of the net. He corralled a bouncing puck, spun around, and slid it into an empty goal.

After three straight assists, Pastrnak got his second goal of the game in the third period. He walked right in front of the net and roofed it on Toronto’s goalie.

For his grand finale, Pastrnak finished off the hat trick by putting the puck between his legs and sending a backhand into the net.

Pastrnak’s heroics in Game 2 and throughout the entire playoff series against Toronto are a big reason why Boston’s been so successful.