On Wednesday the rosters for the NHL All-Star game were announced, and one selection was no surprise. David Pastrnak was selected as the Bruins lone representative and can finally call himself an All-Star. The 22- year- old is one of the six forwards heading to San Jose for the game on January 26. The announcement was hardly surprising considering Pastrnak has established himself as one of the special young talents over the past two years.
Pastrnak had a career year in 2017-2018. He set career highs in every category, including 35 goals and 45 assists. Through 41 games this season he has been even better, and is on pace to shatter those numbers. Pastrnak has not only been the Bruins best player, but has emerged as one of the best players in the NHL.
Photo Credit: Steve Babineau
In 82 games last season the Bruins forward had 80 points. In 41 games this season, he already has 52 points. Pastrnak’s 25 goals are the fourth most in the league, while his 52 points place him in the top ten. For a Bruins team that has battled injuries, he has been a game-changing talent. Pastrnak has excelled regardless of the situation.
David Pastrnak reaching Historic Heights
While the Bruins right- winger has been exceptional on even strength, Pastrnak has been deadly on the powerplay. Last year he had a career-high twenty-six points on the man advantage including 13 goals. After last nights victory, he is only one point away from passing his career high with 41 games left to play. On the Power Play his creativity has been on full display, and Pastrnak is capitalizing at a dominant rate.
It has lead to Pastrnak’s first All-Star nod after a breakout 2017-2018. He did not only establish himself as a key player on this team, but lead the Bruins in goals and was excellent in the postseason. In his fifth NHL season, however, he has raised his game to historic levels.
Photo Credit: Mark Easson
With a goal against Calgary in last nights victory, Pastrnak is on pace for fifty goals this season. No Bruins player has done that since Cam Neely in 1993-1994. It shows how good he has been in the first half of the season.
With records aside, Pastrnak is one of ten players who will be playing in their first All-Star game. It will be a chance for the Bruins forward to show his talent among the NHL’s best. It should be the first of many All-Star games for the young forward as he is only getting better.