The Boston Bruins have moved into third place of the Atlantic Division as they passed the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday night. David Pastrnak and his hat trick propelled the B’s past the Bolts, 3-2, as they’re are now 13-2-1 in their past 16 games — and are 40-19-5 on the season.
A Bruins neutral zone turnover put the Bolts on the board first as Brad Marchand’s backhand pass was intercepted by Ondrej Palat at the red line. Palat walked into the zone and Brandon Hagel one-timed Palat’s pass past Jeremy Swayman for a shorthanded goal, and the 1-0 lead eight minutes into the second period.
The lead didn’t last for long though as two minutes later Pastrnak got his first of the night when Erik Haula made an indirect pass that sent Pastrnak on a breakaway, before Pastrnak backhanded one past Andrei Vasilevskiy to tie it at 1-1.
The Lightning broke back out in front four minutes into the third as Steven Stamkos collected a rebound in the slot and ripped it past Swayman to give Tampa Bay the 2-1 lead. Boston had an answer though, as roughly four minutes after Stamkos’ tally, Pastrnak squeaked it by Vasilevskiy as he found a small hole — with his backhand once again to make it 2-2.
Pastrnak then completed the hat-trick as Haula collected a turned over puck at the blue line and threw one on net before the puck found the stick of Pastrnak at the hashmarks following a rebound and he one-timed it by Vasilevskiy to take the 3-2 lead with just four minutes left in the third. Haula also notched a trio of assists, assisting every one of Pastrnak’s goals.
Hampus Lindholm also debuted for the Bruins in the big win. Marchand had quite the comparison for Lindholm Thursday morning.
Patrice Bergeron looks to return to the lineup Saturday vs. the Islanders after he was out again Thursday despite his expected return. The two face off at 12:30 p.m. ET, as the B’s continue the five-game homestand before they have a tight stretch in April where they play 12 games in 22 days.
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