Post by : Maya Rahman

In a historic highlight, David Pastrnak scored his 400th career goal, making him the sixth player in Bruins history to reach this milestone. His impressive two-goal, one-assist game propelled Boston to a 5-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, marking their seventh straight win on Tuesday night. The milestone came just 49 seconds into the second period.

The Bruins wasted no time, capitalizing on early weaknesses in Toronto’s defense. Pavel Zacha initiated the scoring at 4:27 in the first period, redirecting a shot from Pastrnak. Despite a temporary equalizer from Steven Lorentz, the Bruins surged ahead with two more power-play goals, ending the first period with a substantial lead.

At 9:32 in the first period, Hampus Lindholm scored from the left point, slipping the puck past Toronto’s goalie Anthony Stolarz, who struggled to find his rhythm early. Alex Steeves later scored his first NHL goal, solidifying Boston's lead before the end of the first frame.

Pastrnak's landmark goal came following a thoughtful pass from Morgan Geekie, which enabled him to slip the puck past Toronto's backup goalie Dennis Hildeby, igniting cheers from the crowd.

Despite being on the back foot, the Maple Leafs responded resiliently. Bobby McMann found the net during a power play late in the second period, narrowing the score to 4-2, courtesy of a pass by Max Domi. In the third period, Oliver Ekman-Larsson brought Toronto closer still, scoring a long-range shot that found its way past Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman.

Refusing to buckle under pressure, Pastrnak netted his second goal midway through the third via a power play, making it his 401st career goal. This goal was facilitated by an assist from Mark Kastelic, restoring the Bruins' two-goal lead. Pastrnak's banner night at age 28 showcased his status as one of the NHL's elite scorers.

With Swayman making 29 saves and securing his fourth consecutive win, the Bruins maintained their composure even during tense moments late in the game. Both Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy contributed with two assists, highlighting Boston’s defensive prowess and playmaking capabilities. Efficient special teams were key, as the Bruins went 3-for-6 on power plays while successfully killing off four of Toronto’s five chances.

The Maple Leafs had a rough night compounded by Auston Matthews leaving the game in the second period after a significant hit from Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov, along with Anthony Stolarz exiting early due to an upper-body injury. This left Toronto grappling with a three-game losing streak.

Now 7-0 in their last seven matches, the Bruins continue to impress as one of the league's top teams, fueled by experience and strong teamwork. With an impressive offensive display averaging over four goals per game, they look to extend their winning streak in their forthcoming match at home. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs are focused on healing and regaining consistency. Pastrnak's achievement adds another illustrious chapter to Boston’s rich hockey legacy, underscoring his place among the franchise's all-time greats.

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