Marco Sturm Explains Why David Pastrnak Was On Bruins’ Third Line In Return

The Boston Bruins got a big boost to their lineup on Tuesday.

Star forward David Pastrnak returned to the lineup from injury, as he had been sidelined since Nov. 26. Although Pastrnak returned to the lineup against the St. Louis Blues, he wasn’t skating in his usual spot on the top line.

Instead, Pastrnak played on the third line alongside Marat Khusnutdinov and Fraser Minten. It was a surprise for Pastrnak to be on the third line, but Bruins head coach Marco Sturm said it was about easing him back in.

“Obviously, having David back, it’s a good problem,” Sturm said on Tuesday, as seen on NESN’s postgame coverage. “But also, we had to think a little bit about that one, how we’re going to put the lines together. We thought that lineup would give us the best chance to win a hockey game.”

Pastrnak finished the game with 15:36 of ice time and recorded three assists in Boston’s 5-2 road win over the Blues.

Sturm, meanwhile, was also pleased with his team that no one complained about the line they were on.

​”For me, it’s just all about character,” Sturm added. “That’s what we have in this room. Some guys had to go down a line, and they didn’t complain at all. They just got the job done today. That is what good teams do. They don’t complain, they just work.”

With the win, Boston improved to 18-13-0 and is in second place in the Atlantic Division.

The Bruins will continue their road trip on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets.