Sunday’s (Dec. 1) recreation between the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens means a bit greater than only a typical common season recreation, except for the standard two factors within the standings on the road. It marks 100 years to the day of the Bruins’ first ever NHL recreation – a 2-1 win over the Montreal Maroons on Dec. 1, 1924. It’s a milestone that solely two different franchises have reached (Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens), signifying one other necessary day for a staff that has a ton of historic moments. Nevertheless, it’s not only a huge recreation for the Bruins, but additionally one for his or her celebrity ahead.
Towards the Canadiens on Dec. 1, David Pastrnak can be taking part in in his 700th common season recreation, changing into the twenty first participant in Bruins historical past and the forty fifth Czech-born participant to hit the plateau.
Drafted twenty fifth total within the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Pastrnak has turn into probably the greatest goal-scorers in the complete league, amassing 356 targets and 749 factors within the 699 video games he’s performed (1.07 factors per recreation). He gained the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy (most targets in a season) within the 2019-20 season and has completed top-ten in targets on three different events. In 4 of his final 5 seasons, Pastrnak has scored at the very least 40 targets, together with a 61-goal marketing campaign in 2022-23, becoming a member of a prestigious group of gamers to hit the 60-goal mark since 2000 (Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid, Steven Stamkos, and Alex Ovechkin).
The 28-year-old is already seventh all-time in targets in Boston’s historical past, lower than 50 targets behind Ray Bourque and Rick Middleton to interrupt into the highest 5. On the tempo he’s on to start his profession, Pastrnak has a official case to turn into the best objective scorer in franchise historical past, probably surpassing Johnny Bucyk for the franchise lead (545) later sooner or later.
Associated: Can David Pastrnak Turn into the Best Purpose Scorer in Bruins Historical past?
This season has been a little bit of a wrestle for Pastrnak compared to previous seasons, although, as he solely has eight targets in 25 video games. The Bruins’ total staff severely lacks constant goal-scoring all-around, which has led to their disappointing 11-11-3 report heading into December. As Boston seems to start out the subsequent century of hockey off on the suitable foot, they’ll want Pastrnak to get again into the shape anticipated of him. A giant milestone like this can be the motivation he must jumpstart a scorching streak.
