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Bruins leader: David Pastrnak was ‘best player in the NHL’ down the stretch
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- Bruins leader: David Pastrnak was ‘best player in the NHL’ down the stretch
BOSTON — Even with nothing to play for in the standings, David Pastrnak never stopped playing.
The Bruins plummeted out of the playoff picture after a trade deadline fire sale, and despite no longer having top six forwards Brad Marchand or Charlie Coyle , David Pastrnak 's production never tailed off.
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In Boston's final 10 games, the Czech winger scored 9 goals and added 13 assists. He played all 82 games, finished strong, and set the tone for a culture that Charlie McAvoy hopes the Bruins can build upon in 2025-26.
"I thought David was the best player in the NHL down the stretch and I don't think I'm stepping out of line in say that," McAvoy said. "He was incredible."
Sidelined since February with a shoulder injury, McAvoy said he'd heard that Pastrnak was just as good behind the scenes, too. With Marchand, Coyle, and others gone, the Bruins needed Pastrnak to assume a louder leadership role.
"He led by example. He led by — from what I've gathered — more vocal than he's normally been," McAvoy said. "He did everything he could have possibly done to help this team. He did it. It was a joy to watch every night. Were the (team) results there? No. You guys were watching the same stuff that I was unfortunately watching as well.
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"But I think he's to be commended for the way that he handled himself post-deadline, at a time when we all were feeling a certain way. Like everybody. He had a hockey game the next day as well as another 15 or 20 after. He did exceptional in all of them while being asked to do more than he's had to do. I can't say enough good things about what Pasta did for this team down the stretch."
