David Pastrnak makes his feelings extremely clear on Boston Bruins' disappointing start to 2024 NHL season

By Mike Whitaker

Modified Nov 12, 2024 00:29 GMT

David Pastrnak and the Boston Bruins are in unfamiliar territory after a very inconsistent start to the 2024-25 NHL season that has them 7-7-1 through the first 15 games. Their most recent setback was an overtime defeat on home ice at the hands of the division rival Ottawa Senators on Saturday.

That game featured the return of goaltender Linus Ullmark to Boston for the first time since the offseason trade that sent him to the Canadian capital city.

Embracing his role as one of the team leaders, sniper David Pastrnak stated in no uncertain terms following practice on Monday that he and his teammates need to elevate their play.

“I know we need to be much better than we’ve shown,” said Pastrnak. “We have to be confident in ourselves and obviously the team. We need to make plays and trust in ourselves.”

“We definitely have to shoot and retrieve more pucks,” said Pastrnak. “We can’t be one and done. The (penalty) killers are so good in the NHL today. You have to shoot and retrieve. That’s where the holes open up. We have a lot of work to do there. We don’t have to score every power play, but we have to create momentum.”’

The Bruins failed to register a single shot on goal during the third period against the Senators, who tallied the game-winner less than a minute into the 3x3 overtime session.

David Pastrnak, who picked up an assist in the defeat, has had a strong start to the season. He leads the Bruins with 14 points, including six goals and eight assists.

David Pastrnak and the Bruins are struggling with consistency in 2024-25

The Bruins, who are 3-3-1 in their last seven games, have struggled with consistency and full 60-minute efforts. Meanwhile, their special teams are struggling with a 29th-ranked power play and a 24th-ranked penalty-killing unit.

According to captain Brad Marchand, the Bruins are dealing with a lack of confidence and can turn things around by not overthinking everything.

“Sometimes when you lack confidence or you’re overthinking, your execution is slow,” Marchand said. “We need to get out of our heads. Stop thinking and start playing.

"It comes down to will and compete at this point. We need to understand we need to be better. That’s part of it. Sometimes when you’re thinking about where you’re supposed to be, you’re half a second late. That’s too slow in this league.”

The Bruins are next in action when they hit the road for a two-game swing which begins against the St. Louis Blues Tuesday night at Enterprise Center in a rematch of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final. Game time is set for 8:00 PM EST.