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Bruins Need More Than David Pastrnak’s One-Man Show to Make Playoffs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Hartnett | Last updated Oct 10, 2025 3:15 PM ET

Highlights

Boston Bruins wing David Pastrnak has averaged 109.7 points over the past three seasons.
The 2024-25 Bruins finished last in the Atlantic Division and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Finding supplemental offensive contributions combined with a strong comeback from goaltender Jeremy Swayman can help Boston defy gloomy preseason prognostications.

Year after year, Boston Bruins wing David Pastrnak is a model of consistency.

The 29-year-old right wing has started off the 2025-26 NHL season at his typical best by registering four points (one goal, three assists) through two games played.

There’s no doubt that Pastrnak is one of the league’s most precise snipers and elite offense drivers. His blink-and-you-miss-it shot, excellent skating and uncanny ability to anticipate plays before they happen puts him in an all-world bracket.

As long as Pastrnak is healthy, he's going to eclipse 100 points and do everything possible to keep the B's in the postseason hunt. But the Bruins will need a lot more ingredients than a hefty helping of “Pasta” to put together a playoff-quality recipe.

Several leading hockey analysts have predicted that the Bruins will again finish last in the Atlantic Division. Money Puck gave Boston just a 14.5 percent chance of making the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Hockey is back. https://t.co/RbnckCMfDn pic.twitter.com/AUearhfkmT
— MoneyPuck.com (@MoneyPuckdotcom) October 5, 2025

Bruins Must Find Supplemental Offense

Boston Bruins center Morgan Geekie (39) celebrates a goal with right wing David Pastrnak (88).Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Last season, the Bruins missed the postseason for the first time since 2016. New head coach Marco Sturm will look to improve on last campaign's 33-39-10 record that put Boston in the Atlantic Division cellar.

Aside from superb goaltender Jeremy Swayman and Pastrnak, the Bruins don't possess many high-end talents. Swayman must return to form after posting a .892 save percentage and a 3.11 goals against average last season. The Bruins need improved returns from forwards Morgan Geekie, Elias Lindholm and Pavel Zacha.

Blue line duo Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm will need to stay healthy after missing significant time last season. Lindholm has already suffered a lower-body injury, though Sturm has brushed off any fear of it being anything serious. He only skated in 17 games last season after being limited by a fractured patella.

“It’s just a minor injury, not related to his old injury,” Sturm told Amalie Benjamin of NHL.com. “We just wanted to make sure he will be okay. He’s gonna get tested tomorrow and we’ll see.”

Marco Sturm on Hampus Lindholm: “It’s just a minor injury, not related to his old injury. We just wanted to make sure he will be OK. He’s gonna get tested tomorrow and we’ll see.”
— Amalie Benjamin (@AmalieBenjamin) October 10, 2025

Always Productive and Durable Pastrnak Leads the Way for the B’s

Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88).© Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Pastrnak hasn't missed a regular season game over the past three seasons. He's averaged 109.7 points (50.3 goals, 59.3 assists) per season across that span.

Last season, he chipped in 106 points (43 goals, 63 assists) in 82 games.

The Czech wing puts the Bruins on his shoulders – but it shouldn’t all be on his shoulders. The big question is whether Boston can find more production across four lines and three d-pairs.

If Sturm can summon improvement from established veterans and unlock the potential of youngsters like 21-year-old center Fraser Minten, then perhaps the Bruins can be a sneaky surprise team.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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