David Pastrnak Joins Elite Bruins Legends In This Feat

David Pastrnak has been one of the very few bright spots for the Boston Bruins this season.

The prolific goal scorer put on a show with his first natural career hat trick and two assists in a five-point offensive outout Saturday night to propel Boston over the Carolina Hurricanes and snap the Bruins’ 10-game losing skid.

“I’ve seen him since day one,” Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco told reporters after Boston’s 5-1 victory. “He’s had some incredible seasons, and to still be able to produce at the rate that he has this year with everything going on, it says a lot about him, not only as a player, but as a person as well, too.

“He’s one of those guys, the great players, they just want to keep going and going. That’s what he’s been able to do. Obviously, tonight was a big night. He, along wth a couple of other guys, really took charge of that game there.”

Sacco continued: “It’s just the way he is. He sees himself as a guy that just wants to drive offense and keep pushing. He did that here tonight.”

Pastrnak has been an offensive force all season, even with limited help around him, and now he joins an elite group of Bruins legends with his fifth 40-goal season. Only Phil Esposito has more 40-goal seasons with seven, and Rick Middleton is the other Bruins forward to achieve the feat five times in his career.

The de facto captain also reached 90 points for the fourth time in his NHL career, tying Bruins great Ray Bourque for the fourth most 90-point seasons in Bruins history. The only Bruins with more 90-point campaigns than Pastrnak and Bourque are Phil Esposito (seven), Bobby Orr (six), and Rick Middleton (five).

Pastrnak’s maturity and skill have been beyond elite this season. Especially since the turn of the calendar year. He has 26 goals and 30 assists for 56 points in his last 38 games.

However, the team’s win overshadowed the personal milestone for Pastrnak.

“We beat a really good team who is in a playoff spot, so it should be a confidence booster for the whole group,” Pastrnak said. “It’s just tough that it’s five games left, but that’s the situation we are in. We have to just regroup and finish the season strong. We have five games left, so we’ll try to keep playing and to feel good about the team game.”

Pastrnak added: “I will never take a day for granted. I am super honored to wear this jersey to play for this organization and this city. The city is amazing.”