Line shuffle on Pasta’s plate
David Pastrnak has scored 69 goals over the last two years. In 2017-18, he built on his 80-point season by proving he could do it in the playoffs, too, registering six goals and 14 assists in 12 games. The 22-yearold is a blossoming superstar who possesses all the flair that comes along with that designation.
Pastrnak, a right winger, will get his goals and points no matter what centerman dishes him the puck. But the identity of Pastrnak’s pivot for the upcoming season is still undetermined and it remains one of the Bruins’ biggest questions.
This much we know is true. When Pastrnak has played on the top line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, they formed a nearly unstoppable force, perhaps the best line in the NHL. But what is also true is that in the playoffs last season, the B’s scoring was too top heavy in the second round against Tampa Bay, and they were bounced in five games.
It would seem to make sense to drop Pastrnak to the David Krejci-Jake DeBrusk line. But that’s easier said than done.
“The difficult decision is ‘Do you want to break up your top line?’ Are you prepared to do that on Oct. 3?” B’s coach Bruce Cassidy said, adding that he could even switch the lines on a nightly basis, depending on the matchup.
A couple of things have to happen to make moving Pastrnak down to Krejci’s line a viable option. First, one of the young players, whether it’s Danton Heinen, Ryan Donato, Anders Bjork or someone else, must demonstrate he’s ready to play against top defense pairings and see his share of top lines to shut down, as well as do it on the off wing.
Secondly, Pastrnak needs to show his game has matured sufficiently enough to be a solid two-way player away from Bergeron, whose motor is always humming. When Pastrnak has played with Krejci, they’ve enjoyed their sparkling moments, as they did when the two Czechs were paired together at the world championships last spring. But they’ve also been a trick-or-treat combo, and DeBrusk has just one season under his belt. If the line’s a liability in its own end, it is not going to work.
As for the low-stress Pastrnak, he’s up for anything.
“I’m pretty sure we’ll try both during the season and I’m pretty sure we’re going to stick with what helps the team most,” he said. “I have a nice chemistry with Krech and with Bergy, so I don’t have any struggle to play with this guy or with that guy. They’re both unbelievable players. It won’t be a big change if I play with Krech or with Bergy.”
The two centers are different players, however.
“The only difference between the two guys is Bergy and March like to play fast, up and down, and Krech likes to play a little slower, likes to hang on to the puck and take his time. Both styles of play work for me and I like both,” said Pastrnak.
With Bergeron staying at home while most of the veterans head off to China on a 10-day trip beginning Tuesday, Pastrnak should get a lot of playing time with Krejci.
“Obviously you want to stick together as a team and be around all the guys,” he said. “But it is what it is and we have to split up for a couple of days. But when we come back, hopefully we focus on coming together as a group. But it’s going to be a great experience going to China.”
And, who knows, maybe the Bruins will have an answer to one of their more pressing issues by the time they return.