Boston Bruins: 3 Stars of the Week

Feb 1, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo (25) scores the go ahead goal on Washington Capitals goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41) in the third period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo (25) scores the go ahead goal on Washington Capitals goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41) in the third period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
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Feb 3, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) controls the puck against Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (53) during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) controls the puck against Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (53) during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

1. David Pastrnak

The Bruins leading scorer from last season missed the first seven games of the season. After missing the first two weeks, it would have not surprised anyone if it took a couple of games for David Pastrnak to get his feet under him.

Well, despite missing seven games, Pasta returned and it looks like he never missed a beat following offseason hip surgery. After picking up an assist on Charlie McAvoy’s goal last Saturday night that sent the game to overtime, Pastrnak started scoring and scoring in bunches Monday night.

He got the Bruins going Monday night when they were trailing the Capitals 3-0 with a second-period goal for his first of the season. He scored early in the third period to bring the Bruins within a goal at 3-2 and started a four-goal Boston outburst in a 5-3 win.

Wednesday night, Pasta picked up where he left off 48 hours earlier against the Capitals. He opened the scoring 12 seconds into the game, before the Flyers scored the next three goals for a 3-1 lead midway through the final period.

Pastrnak’s second goal on the power play cut the deficit to 3-2, then he tied the game when he knocked in a bouncing puck with 15 seconds left in the game with his second man-advantage goal of the night. In overtime, Pastrnak set up Patrice Bergeron for the game-winning goal (on the power play again) just 27 seconds into the extra session.

If this is going to be the David Pastrnak that the Bruins are going to get this year in a shortened season, then it’s good news for them and bad news for the other seven teams in the East Division. Just ask the Capitals and Flyers.