Why Bruins’ David Pastrnak Should Be In Hart Trophy Conversation

The Boston Bruins are currently in the outside looking in on a potential playoff berth, but David Pastrnak is single-handedly keeping the team within striking distance.

With a slow offensive start to the season, it was easy to overlook Pastrnak in the first couple of months of the 2024-25 campaign. But the 2022-23 Hart Trophy runner-up has been on an absolute tear that should vault him back into the conversation for the title this season.

Since the turn of the calendar year, Pastrnak has led all NHL skaters with 15 goals and 30 points in 17 games played. He’s lit the lamp 28 times so far for his ninth 20-plus goal season and leads his teammates by wide margins of nine goals, 15 assists and 24 points.

His current surge has even catapulted him back among the league’s scoring leaders. With 52 even-strength points, he is behind only Leon Draisaitl (59) and Nathan MacKinnon (58). He also leads the league in shots on goal with 225.

The Bruins star can continue his hot streak heading into the 4 Nations break when Boston hosts the Vegas Golden Knights at TD Garden on Saturday. Pastrnak has six goals and six assists across 11 career games against the Knights, and 15 of his 28 tallies this season have come on home ice.

Despite Pastrnak’s production, the Bruins find themselves outside of a wild card spot with a record of 27-23-6. If Pastrnak continues his level of play, not only could he record his third consecutive 100-point season, but he may be able to spark the offense and result in a much-needed playoff push down the stretch.