Bruins’ Pastrnak playing ‘on another level right now’

BOSTON — David Pastrnak scored again on Saturday night, a highlight reel number you could see off and on for the rest of his career.

And it only won the bronze medal among the spectacular plays that the Bruins’ phenomenal right wing pulled off in Boston’s 5-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators at TD Garden on Saturday. Pastrnak finished with a goal and two assists, and it was a night that has become almost expected from him this season.

Pastrnak, 23, has an 11-game point streak, failing to notch a point in only the first two games of the season. He has 13 goals and 14 assists, and his 27 points are the most by a Bruin through 13 games since Bobby Orr in 1974-75.

Bobby Orr. That’s where Pastrnak’s game is.

“He is on another level right now,” said Brad Marchand, the recipient of Pastrnak’s second primary assist. “His ability to make plays – his pass to (Patrice Bergeron) on the second goal and his pass to me on the (fourth) – he’s just seeing things that other guys could never see. Fun to watch right now and he’s feeling it. He’s trying everything, and it’s working for him. Hopefully that continues.”

Pastrnak got things going off a set play on the power play with Torey Krug. With the Senators trying to stand up the Bruins’ potent power play at the blue line, Krug and Pastrnak tried a play they’ve completed before.

From his own end, Krug blasted the puck down the ice while Pastrnak simultaneously went into his sprint. He left poor Ron Hainsey in the dust to not only nullify the icing, but he collected the rebound off the end boards on his forehand, cut across the front of the net and, while still on the forehand, nudged it past goalie Craig Anderson and over the goal line 1:17 into the game.

At first, that appeared like the goal that would simply catapult the Bruins on their way to the expected drubbing of the overmatched, rebuilding Senators. But the Senators were intent on giving the Bruins a game. They tied it up later in the first.

Then Pastrnak helped to put the Bruins in the lead again. A loose puck popped out from the left boards, and Pastrnak was suddenly all alone with Anderson. The goaltender worked feverishly to keep every hole covered as Pastrnak floated to the right side. But just when it looked like Pastrnak was going to run out of real estate, he hit Bergeron for an empty net goal on the back side.

The Senators tied it before the period was out again, but the Bruins were themselves again by the third period, scoring three unanswered goals. Danton Heinen scored the game-winner, but Pastrnak delivered the beauty of the night for the insurance goal.

With the Bruins on the power play again, Pastrnak picked up a loose puck along the left boards and headed toward the net with steam. With bodies in front, it appeared as though he might either try to jam it short side or take it around the net. Instead, he somehow sifted a backhand pass through Jake DeBrusk and Hainesy to a wide open Marchand.

All Anderson could do was wave at the puck before it hit the back of the net.

There may be nothing like scoring a goal, but completing a setup like that may be a very close second.

“Those are nice. I like those,” said Pastrnak with a smile. “I’m probably more of a goalscorer than a playmaker, but any time I can set up one of my teammates, I will do that.”

It is an unsung part of his game, but it won’t be for much longer.

“He’s underrated now with his playmaking ability,” said Coach Bruce Cassidy. “I think it’s really grown over the last (few years). When he first came up, he was absolutely a one-on-one guy that could score, win pucks in tight, get around people. I think he’s now showing he’s got a high-end distributing skill as well.”

It is still early. It is a long season. Pastrnak plays with a type of abandon that can put him in harm’s way, either by his own hand or an opponent’s. But make no mistake, Pastrnak is not just a bona fide Hart Trophy candidate, he is leading the pack right now.

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