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Pastrňák Returns to Bruins Lineup on an Absolute Tear

David Pastrňák has made a big impact for the Bruins since returning from injury.

Boston Bruins winger David Pastrňák continues to amaze. Despite offseason hip surgery that equated to him missing the team’s first seven games, he’s back and has officially caught fire. In his first three games since returning he has tallied five goals and added two assists.

RELATED: NHL Injury and Return News: Stars, Bruins, Avs, Penguins, Wild, More

He started ‘slowly’ with an assist on a late tying goal against the Washington Capitals in his first game back – a 4-3 OT loss. During the rematch, Pastrňák kickstarted a huge Bruins comeback by scoring the team’s first two goals after falling behind. That offensive effort and a great dust up between Trent Frederic vs. Tom Wilson led Boston to a 5-3 win over the Capitals.

The man affectionately known as ‘Pasta’ around Suffolk County and Bruins Nation then topped both those efforts this past Wednesday night in Philadelphia. The 24-year-old scored 12 seconds into the game, only for the Bruins to watch that early lead turn into a 3-1 deficit midway through the third period.

David Pastrňák

Cue Pasta time. Not only did Pastrňák score the Bruins second goal, he also completed the hat trick when he tied the game with 15 seconds remaining in regulation. Just to make a statement, he also set up linemate Patrice Bergeron in OT for the game winner. Decent night!

It is really amazing how quickly he has gotten back up to full speed after recovering from the bad hip. Let’s not get it twisted, Pastrňák is playing along side two world class players with Bergeron in the middle and Brad Marchand on the off wing. That said, this kid is special.

Early Career Feats

Over and over, he has proven just how special he is since being drafted 25th overall by Boston in 2014. In that time, the native of Havířov, Czech Republic has accumulated 185 goals and 201 assists (386) in 393 career NHL games. His continuous improvement is equally impressive and it makes me wonder how high his ceiling might be – are we seeing it now or is there even more upside?

Lastly, the hat trick on Wednesday evening was the ninth of his still young career. That puts him in a tie with Corey Perry and Steven Stamkos for sixth on the active player career hat trick list. As you can see above, Pastrňák’s games played is a massive outlier in this particular context. Amazingly, Sidney Crosby has just two more hat tricks in 994 games.

The kid can snipe, that is for certain.

The Bruins are back in action Friday, for the second game, against the Philadelphia Flyers.

NEXT: Bruins to Shop a Forward When Players Return from Injury

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