After a season of records on the scoresheet for David Pastrnak, he’s picked up right where he left off to start this season. It’s the hot start that has earned Pastrnak the third star of the month for October, according to an announcement by the NHL.
Beating out Pastrnak were Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks at second star and Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils at first star. Pastrnak has opened the season with eight goals and six assists for 14 points through the first nine games of the year for the Bruins, who still haven’t lost in regulation.
Pastrnak began his 10th NHL season with a bang against the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring two goals in Boston’s opening night win. He followed that up with a goal and an assist in a 3-2 victory against the Nashville Predators. He scored a goal against the San Jose Sharks and added a goal and two assists against the Los Angeles Kings.
Although he went without a point in the finale of the Bruins west coast sweep against Anaheim and again against the Blackhawks, Pastrnak got back on the scoresheet with a goal and an assist against the Ducks in Boston’s only loss of the season.
Pastrnak had a big game in the Bruins win over the Red Wings, scoring two goals and adding an assist in his 600th career NHL game, including one goal on a penalty shot, the second penalty shot goal of his career.
Yup, that’s some good stuff. pic.twitter.com/oOufmO5E3L
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 29, 2023
Pastrnak wrapped up his impressive month of October with one assist in the Bruins overtime win against the Florida Panthers, assisting on Charlie McAvoy‘s game tying goal in the third period.
With his torrid stretch to open the year, Pastrnak finished tied for second in the league in plus/minus with a +9 rating, third in shots on goal with 42, tied for third in goals with eight, and fifth in points with 14th. He’s a key cog to the Bruins machine, and he’s showing exactly why so far this year.