Boston Bruins
Bruins Grades: Pastrnak, Poitras, and the Power Play Create a Winning Forumla

BOSTON — David Pastrnak had three goals for the Boston Bruins on Saturday at TD Garden in a 6-3 win over the New York Rangers.
While hat tricks aren’t exactly commonplace in the NHL, it wasn’t all too surprising considering Pastrnak’s fantastic play lately.
What was, though, was that the Bruins did something they’ve only accomplished twice before this season.
Bruins Grades:
The Bruins: B+
The Bruins weren’t perfect, but if they continue to play as they did on Saturday, then they’ll win more games than not down the stretch.
Sure, they gave up a pair of back-breaking goals. Ones that have often led to them crumbling, especially recently. Instead, Boston found its resolve.
Whenever the Rangers made a push, the Bruins held their ground.
David Pastrnak: A+
Prior to the game, David Pastrnak was named the NHL’s First Star for the Month of January. He led the entire league in scoring with 11 goals and 13 assists for 24 points in 2025’s first 31 days.
If the first game of February is any indicator, Pastrnak is in store for another big month after scoring his 20th career hat trick. Even then, he doesn’t appear to be settling, either.
David Pastrnak after scoring a hat trick for the #NHLBruins | @BOSHockeyNow
“I set my standards high, and I’m never satisfied…the sky is the limit when I’m on my game and focused.” pic.twitter.com/IViWik9s5P
— Andrew Fantucchio (@A_Fantucchio) February 2, 2025
Matthew Poitras: A –
Matthew Poitras’ two assists is what’s going to show up on the stat sheet, but what won’t is his response after a stiff, text-book cross check by Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren sent him lying face-first in the corner boards in the first period.
Poitras was visibly shaken on the play but wasn’t rattled.
“I guess I just felt good starting the game,” said Poitras. “I probably need to put myself in a better spit there and, but I don’t know, I just kept kind of doing my thing and just kept playing, not really feeling good or bad after, but just kept playing.”
Continuously putting himself into dangerous positions on the ice and getting frustrated when he suffered the consequences is what ultimately led to Poitras being sent down to AHL Providence earlier this season.
Looks like he learned his lesson.
The Power Play: A
With two goals in three opportunities on the man advantage, the Bruins had multiple power-play goals in a game for only the third time this season.
Charlie McAvoy blasted a slap shot from the high slot to convert on a five-on-three situation in the first period, and Pavel Zacha cleaned up a loose puck down low to pad Boston’s lead in the second.
Boston has now scored a power-play goal in three straight games for the first time this season.
Mason Lohrei-Charlie McAvoy: A
Mason Lohrei and Charlie McAvoy continued developing chemistry as the Bruins’ top defense pair.
The duo was involved at both ends of the ice against the Rangers, finishing a combined plus-two while usually getting matched up against the likes of Artemi Panari, J.T. Miller, and Mika Zibanejad.
It was especially encouraging to see Lohrei play so well and have a postitive response after making a costly error in the Bruins’ last game when he put the puck in the back of his own net.
“Mason is a stud,” McAvoy said. “We’re going to keep getting better, me and him together. I got his back, and I know he’s got mine. Hockey is a game of mistakes. I make plenty, and everybody has their fair share, but it’s about just learning from them and putting them behind you. That’s everybody, no matter what year you’re in, so I’ll continue to lean on him and and be there for him, and I know he’ll do the same for me.”
Brandon Carlo: C +
For the most part, Brandon Carlo had a solid performance against the Rangers. He and the rest of the defense stepped up when his defense partner, Michael Callahan, left the game in the second period after getting hit in the face with a puck.
However, the lasting image of Carlo from this game while be his ghastly turnover in the defensive zone that led to J.T. Miller tying the score for the Rangers just 46 seconds after the Bruins scored the opening goal.
HEY, HOW ARE YA. pic.twitter.com/MgUDXlVHId
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 1, 2025
Joe
February 2, 2025 at 7:52 am
Bruins issue is one game ahead two games back … a legit #1 center short who can also score goals and deal assists… the team D is a disaster
Rick W Murray
February 2, 2025 at 9:01 pm
Pasta has been unbelievable, Poitras passes remind me Oates. Lohrei is talent waiting to be released Swayman is awful. Carlo not good. Lindholm has been pathetic. Get rid the stiff Zadordud. Fre Sweeney.
Joe
February 3, 2025 at 8:02 am
The Bruins blew to much $$$ on players they didn’t need this past offseason … a legit goal scorer would’ve been nice