Rangers lose as Bruins score four goals in third
BOSTON — It certainly appears David Pastrnak has worked the rust off.
Pastrnak notched three goals and two assists for a career-high five points Wednesday night, sending the Bruins to a 6-3 victory over the Rangers.
Playing his fifth game since missing 16 following left thumb surgery, the winger raised his goal total to a teamleading 36.
“Pretty close,” Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said when asked if Pastrnak is fully recovered. “Obviously, a great night. He was firing the puck well. It looked like he was more comfortable handling it in traffic.”
Coming off a 3-1 road trip but disappointed after blowing a two-goal lead Monday night against NHL-best Tampa Bay, the Bruins broke it open with four goals in the third period for their 12th consecutive victory at home. It’s their longest streak since they won 14 straight during the 2008-09 season.
Pastrnak completed his fourth career hat trick and third this season with a power-play goal to make it 4-2 with 7:08 to play, triggering a flow of hats that littered the ice. He became the first Bruins player with a trio of hat tricks in one sea- son since Hall of Famer Cam Neely in 1993-94.
“It helps a lot for me coming back from after a long time (away),” Pastrnak said. “It was a little bit tough at the beginning.”
The Bruins had gone 1-7-2 in their last 10 games against the Rangers, and had lost the first two meetings this season.
Backup goalie Jaroslav Halak made 20 saves. Jake DeBrusk, Charlie McAvoy and Patrice Bergeron also scored for Boston, which went 4 for 6 on the power play.
“It’s hard enough to win in this league when you don’t beat yourself,” Rangers coach David Quinn said. “We did a lot of good things early, hanging around a good hockey team, then just imploded.”
Mika Zibanejad scored two goals and Ryan Strome also scored for the Rangers, who have lost six of seven as the season nears a close. They have dealt away eight players at the past two trade deadlines. Henrik Lundqvist stopped 26 shots, losing for just the second time in his last nine games against the Bruins. He made a highlight-reel save midway into the first period on Chris Wagner when he lunged across the crease to make a stick save.
“They have a lot of good players, but first, to win any games we have to play smart,” Lundqvist said. “We can’t have two too many men on the ice (penalties), for example. There’s no excuse for that.”