Pastrnak Jumpstarts Improbable Comeback Win For Boston Bruins

‘Pasta’ is back on the Boston Bruins offensive menu and it couldn’t have returned at a better time!

Boston Bruins superstar winger David Pastrnak ignited another Bruins comeback Monday with his first two goals of the 2021 season as the Bruins erased another 3-0 deficit in a 5-3 win for the ages. Unlike Saturday, when the Bruins also came back from a 3-0 deficit but couldn’t complete the comeback in overtime, there would be no need for the extra session as they scored five unanswered goals and handed the Capitals their first regulation loss of the season. 

“Scoring obviously felt great,” Pastrnak said following the statement win by him and his teammates. “Had a little trouble, I was missing the net a lot, so obviously it was a good one to finally hit the net, definitely good to get the first one up.”

No one could blame Pastrnak if he was a bit rusty when he returned to the lineup for the first time this season on Saturday against the Capitals. After undergoing right hip arthroscopy and labral repair on Sept. 16, Pastrnak wasn’t expected to be in the lineup until at least February 7 but after an extensive and grueling rehab, he returned earlier than expected. 

“He’s been skating hard,” Cassidy said. “He’s feeling very healthy. Was able to work with our skating coach Kim Brandvold for at least a minimum three weeks, and it gets a little boring on your own all the time. But he’s certainly working on his shot, and he was ready. A little bit ahead of schedule, thankfully for us. We knew that could be a possibility probably about a month ago because of the way he keeps himself in shape, and we’re happy to have him back in the lineup.”

The Caps made sure to welcome Pastrnak back on Saturday with as much physical punishment as possible and Pastrnak admitted postgame, first to Czech NHL reporter Zdenek Matejovsky, that he was feeling the pain and rust after the game Saturday and on Sunday.

“When I had the Czech question, I said I felt like I got hit by a train, so that was pretty much how I felt after first game,” Pastrnak said with his trademark smile. “I felt great during the first game, but obviously the next morning was a little tough.”

He still mustered five shots and an assist in 20:29 TOI in the 4-3 loss Saturday but after going scoreless in his first game of the season Saturday and watching his co-Rocket Richard Trophy winner and Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin score the overtime winner, Pastrnak’s two goals (7 shots, 20:00 TOI) jumpstarted an improbable Boston Bruins comeback win over the Caps and the Bruins couldn’t be happier to have the ever-present scoring threat he presents for opponents every time he’s on the ice, back in their lineup.  

“Again, he’s a threat every time he’s on the ice,” Cassidy pointed out. “He just looks stronger on pucks, and that’s just the physical maturity coming through. Again, nice weapon to have back in the mix.”

David Pastrnak buries his first goal of the season.

3-1 game. pic.twitter.com/t4dewUCpW5

— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) February 2, 2021

David Pastrnak buries his second goal of the night.

3-2 game. pic.twitter.com/cd4k9Qw3mJ

— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) February 2, 2021