The numbers do not support David Pastrnak as an elite player in the NHL
Boy, there are some real Pasta fans out there. In last weeks podcast I very humbly and accurately stated that David Pastrnak is not a quality NHL player with out elite talent around him.
Well, didn’t that just get all your panties in a bunch. I get it, Bruins players that are drafted and developed locally are hard to come by these days. They are a real dying breed. The Bergeron’s and Marchand’s, Krejci’s. I understand the home grown talent is over rated around here and we love them because they stood for playing the right way and took home town discounts. What I don’t understand is why you lump Pastrnak into that group. They only thing in common he has with those guys is the Bruins drafted them. Beyond that Pastrnak does not play a two way game, does not show up when it counts (It could be debated if your other heroes did as much as you think they did) and he certainly didn’t take a discount on the salary.
David Pastrnak is the 4th highest paid winger in the league and currently sits at 41st in goals and 49ths in assists. But, I’m not here to slam him for his shitty play this year. I’m here to tell you that you should have seen it coming. I’m here to tell you that Sweeney should have given that bag of money that the Businessman Swayman got to another top line player to pair with Pastrnak. Because history will tell you “Pasta” is not the type of player to lift others up. He needs to be lifted. Elias Lindholm and Pavel Zacha aren’t enough.
Pastrnak is a guy that needs to play in space. When his linemates do not attract enough attention that space is diminished. Just like in the playoffs. Playoff hockey is not where Pastrnak shines. The game is too physical, slow, and tight. This brings us back to my statement that got all of you in such a tissy. He’s not elite. He doesn’t show up in big games. Now, if I have to hear about last year’s game 7 OT winner against Toronto one more time, I’ll snap. First of all, every Bruin gets a game 7 winner against Toronto. It’s a right of passage to shove those losers in a locker and break the hearts of millions of Canadians. Secondly, it completely ignores the much larger body of work from this player in high pressure playoff games. Don’t worry though, these simple minds have done the research. We complied the stats from every Close Out or Elimination game of Pastrnak’s career. Game by game is listed below. For those that want the good stuff with out the work, similar to Pasternak’s effort as of late, here’s the up shot:
David Pastrnak in Close Out or Elimination Games
24 Total Games
-6 Overall
10 Goals
11 Assists
There you have it. When the games get tight David Pastrnak shrinks.
I am not saying he is a bad player. I’m saying in order to unleash his potential he needs elite talent around him. Which is to say he is not elite with out it and not worth the 8 year $90 million contract and $11.3 million cap hit he’s chewing up. A player at that number needs to be better than under a point a game and -6 in the most crucial games and situations. Just sayin.
Leave your opinions below or let us know how you really feel HERE. We’ll discuss it on the next show.
Here are the game by game stats over the Close out and Elimination games:
2018
1st round vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Game 5 – Loss 3-4
David Pastrnak: 22 min TOI; -2 PLUS/MINUS; 0 Goals; 0 Asst.
Game 6 – Loss 3-1
David Pastrnak: 20 min TOI; -1 PLUS/MINUS; 0 Goals; 0 Asst.
Game 7 – Win 7-4
David Pastrnak: 19 min TOI; -1 PLUS/MINUS; 1 Goals; 1 Asst.
2nd round vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Game 5 – Loss 3-1
David Pastrnak: 24 min TOI; -1 PLUS/MINUS; 0 Goals; 0 Asst.
2019
1st round vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Game 6 – Win 4-2
David Pastrnak: 17 min TOI; +1 PLUS/MINUS; 0 Goals; 2 Asst.
Game 7 – Win 5-1
David Pastrnak: 18 min TOI; +1 PLUS/MINUS; 0 Goals; 0 Asst.
2nd round vs. Blue Jackets
Game 6 – Win 3-0
David Pastrnak: 16 min TOI; +1 PLUS/MINUS; 0 Goals; 0 Asst.
Conference Finals vs Hurricanes
Game 4 – Win 4-0
David Pastrnak: 14 min TOI; +1 PLUS/MINUS; 1 Goals; 2 Asst.
Stanley Cup Finals vs. Blues
Game 6 – Win 2-1
David Pastrnak: 20 min TOI; 0 PLUS/MINUS; 1 Goals; 2 Asst.
Game 7 – Loss 4-1
David Pastrnak: 20 min TOI; -2 PLUS/MINUS; 0 Goals; 0 Asst.
2020
1st round vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Game 5 – Win 2-1
David Pastrnak: 20 min TOI; 0 PLUS/MINUS; 0 Goals; 2 Asst.
2nd round vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Game 5 – Loss 3-2
David Pastrnak: 30 min TOI; -2 PLUS/MINUS; 1 Goals; 0 Asst.
2021
1st round vs. Washington Capitals
Game 5 – Win 3-1
David Pastrnak: 17 min TOI; +2 PLUS/MINUS; 1 Goals; 1 Asst.
2nd round vs. New York Islanders
Game 6 – Loss 6-2
David Pastrnak: 23 min TOI; -3 PLUS/MINUS; 0 Goals; 1 Asst.
2022
1st round vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Game 6 – Win 5-2
David Pastrnak: 16 min TOI; +1 PLUS/MINUS; 0 Goals; 1 Asst.
Game 7 – Loss 3-2
David Pastrnak: 21 min TOI; +1 PLUS/MINUS; 1 Goals; 0 Asst.
2023
1st round vs. Florida Panthers
Game 5 – Loss 4-3 OT
David Pastrnak: 24 min TOI; -1 PLUS/MINUS; 0 Goals; 0 Asst.
Game 6 – Loss 7-5
David Pastrnak: 20 min TOI; -1 PLUS/MINUS; 2 Goals; 0 Asst.
Game 7 – Loss 4-3 OT
David Pastrnak: 21 min TOI; 0 PLUS/MINUS; 1 Goals; 0 Asst.
2024
1st round vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Game 5 – Loss 2-1 OT
David Pastrnak: 20 min TOI; 0 PLUS/MINUS; 0 Goals; 0 Asst.
Game 6 – Loss 2-1
David Pastrnak: 20 min TOI; 0 PLUS/MINUS; 0 Goals; 0 Asst.
Game 7 – Win 2-1 OT
David Pastrnak: 21 min TOI; +1 PLUS/MINUS; 1 Goals; 0 Asst.
2nd round vs. Florida Panthers
Game 5 – Win 2-1
David Pastrnak: 22 min TOI; 0 PLUS/MINUS; 0 Goals; 0 Asst.
Game 6 – Loss 2-1
David Pastrnak: 22 min TOI; -1 PLUS/MINUS; 0 Goals; 0 Asst.
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