David Pastrnak’s first goals as Bruins captain arrived with a little history attached Thursday night. His two-goal, two-assist performance drove Boston past the Utah Mammoth 6-1 at TD Garden, ended his five-game scoring drought to open the season and moved him alongside Brad Marchand in the club record book.
Pastrnak joins Marchand in Bruins history
Pastrnak’s second goal of the night was the 422nd of his NHL career, tying Marchand for fourth place on Boston’s all-time goals list. He reached the mark in his 838th League game.
Only three Bruins stand above Pastrnak and Marchand: Johnny Bucyk, Phil Esposito and Patrice Bergeron. Pastrnak is now five goals from Bergeron’s 427.
“It’s nice,” Pastrnak said. “Brad was a tremendous player, and tying him in goals is amazing. If he were still playing here, I’m sure I’d still be trying to catch him. He was such an important Bruin, so it means a lot to tie him. But I was mostly happy to score and start getting my touch back.”
The captain also passed Wayne Cashman for eighth in franchise history with 517 assists. He has six points, including two goals and four assists, through five games this season.
Boston’s response at TD Garden
The Bruins needed a sharp answer after a flat home loss to the Ottawa Senators on Monday, their second defeat in a row. The Garden crowd had booed Boston during that performance, particularly with the penalty kill struggling.
- At 14:22 of the first period, Frederic Brunet worked the puck from the point to Pastrnak near the top of the right circle. Pastrnak snapped a shot home for a 2-0 lead.
- Boston broke through on the power play after opening the season 0-for-10 over four games. The Bruins ultimately went 3-for-4 with the man advantage.
- Utah starter Sebastian Cossa was pulled at 15:51 after giving up three goals on eight shots. Karel Vejmelka entered and allowed three goals on 14 shots.
- At 4:40 of the second period, Morgan Geekie set up Pastrnak just inside the left circle. Pastrnak hammered a one-timer to make it 4-0 and pull level with Marchand.
- Boston’s penalty killers blanked Utah on seven chances. The Mammoth had entered the night with the NHL’s top power play, operating at 61.5 percent.
Pastrnak said he is still working through the balance between passing and firing the puck himself.
“I’m trying to find the right mix of when to pass, when to look for a pass and when to just look at the net,” he said. “It was good to see them go in today, and hopefully I can build on it.”
Coach Marco Sturm saw the weight lift after Pastrnak’s first goal.
“It was really important,” Sturm said. “I know he wasn’t happy, but once that first one went in, he loosened up. He was happy, and his game had flow and rhythm. That’s how it works sometimes in hockey. You need one, and then you start feeling it. I’m happy for him. He’s excited and honored, but wearing the ‘C’ also brings some pressure.”
A captain setting the tone
The 30-year-old Pastrnak is in the first five games of his captaincy and has four years remaining on his contract. He entered the season after four straight 100-point campaigns.
Geekie, who assisted on Pastrnak’s second goal, said the winger’s development off the ice has matched his production.
“It’s hard to put into words,” Geekie said. “I’ve known him only four or five years, but you can see the leader he has become, especially after we moved ‘Marshy’ and the other veterans at the 2025 Trade Deadline. He and Charlie McAvoy have stepped up. To take on that responsibility and still produce the way he does says a lot about him. Nobody in this room is surprised, and he’ll be a great player for a long time.”
The win prevented an early skid from gaining traction. Boston remembered last season’s swing, when a three-game winning start turned into six consecutive losses.
“The season is long, and you know there will be highs and lows,” Pastrnak said. “You have to stay in the moment and respond. When things are going well, you also can’t get too high. We have to keep each other grounded and get better every day as a team.”
