Bruins wing David Pastrnak focused on reviving power-play prowess
Right wing David Pastrnak rode the Bruins power play to a share of the Maurice Richard Trophy.
Pastrnak and Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, who won seven of the last eight Richard awards, were tied with a league-leading 48 goals when the NHL closed shop on March 12 in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
What separated Pastrnak (48-47-95) from Ovechkin (48-19-76) was the power play, even though they play similar roles in man up situations. Pastrnak finished with a league best 20 power-play goals to 13 for Ovechkin.
“To be honest, I was actually madder about the 100 points than getting 50 (goals),” said Pastrnak during a Zoom press conference from his Prague home in the Czech Republic.
“It was a huge honor obviously sharing it with Alex. He’s been winning it every single year almost and for me
to share it with him is even more special.”
The NHL plans to reopen its abbreviated campaign by going directly to the Stanley Cup playoffs, albeit with an expanded format of 24 teams. The Bruins were declared winners of the President’s Trophy after compiling a league best 44-14-12 (100 points) record prior to the shutdown.
The reigning Eastern Conference champs finished at the top of the heap because of its exceptional special teams and the remarkable play of goaltenders Tuukka Rask (26-8-6) and Jaroslav Halak (18-6-6).
The Bruins finished second behind Edmonton with 57 power-play goals and a 25.2% success rate. They were third in the penalty kill with an 84.2% success rate and first in fewest goals allowed (167).
Some of the Bruins regulars, along with an assortment of Black Aces, are living outside the area and are weeks away from reconvening at Warrior Ice Arena in Brighton. Getting the power play back into efficient working order will be a priority, according to Pastrnak.
“Obviously it’s going to be a big part of our game coming back especially after not playing,” said Pastrnak. “Every power play is going to be very important.”
The Bruins first powerplay unit was a formidable entity over 70 regular season games. Pastrnak was situated at left point where he would slip down for onetimers from the circle.
Defenseman Torey Krug was the rainmaker from the right point in the Bruins 1-3-1 scheme. Jake DeBrusk patrolled the left boards and behind the net, center Patrice Bergeron was on the bumper and Brad Marchand on the right boards.
“Our power play has been together for probably two years now, right?” said Pastrnak. “It’s the same group of guys who have been together for a long time now but I don’t think it is going to be a problem hopefully.”
Pastrnak has been logging regular ice time with some current and former players in an effort to maintain his skating and stick skills. Pastrnak is awaiting a siren call from general manager Don Sweeney and head coach Bruce Cassidy, so he hasn’t made travel plans for a return to Boston.
“I’m feeling very good and I’ve been skating twice a week and working out five or six times a week since I got back to Prague,” said Pastrnak.