BSJ Game Report: Bruins 3, Senators 1 - Pastrnak (2 goals), McAvoy (3 assists) get best of Ottawa

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 3-1 win over the Ottawa Senators, with BSJ insight and analysis…

BOX SCORE 

HEADLINES

Pastrnak reaches 40 again - passes up a shot at McDavid: David Pastrnak was "stuck" on 39 goals for two games — if two games can be considered a rut — before he broke through with the final two goals in Monday's matinee to lift the Bruins to a 3-1 victory over the spunky Senators and extend Boston's win streak to four games. 

Both came off spectacular feeds from Charlie McAvoy, who had three apples to give himself 33 on the season. On the first Pastrnak goal, McAvoy let the puck go off the boards at the right point and he then made a spin move before finding Pastrnak all alone.

"When (Pastrnak's) really on like he was tonight, it jumps out at you," Bruins coach Jim Montgomery told reporters. "When he has his B-game, it still jumps out at you. That's how good he is, and he was just ultra-creative. I thought him and Charlie McAvoy were special tonight."

"Really unbelievable plays on both goals of mine," Pastrnak said. "So great job by Charlie."

Pastrnak had a chance to tie Conor McDavid for the league lead in goals late with an empty net, but all the winger wanted to do was get David Krejci a goal in this 1,000th game celebration night in front of his family.

“It just says a lot about the character that (Pastrnak) has as a human being, and understanding it was a big night for Krech,” said Jake DeBrusk, who had his seventh goal in eight games. “He’s in position to get a hat trick and he still dishes it to Krech. It’s pretty cool.”

Krejci feted for 1,000 NHL games: The forward, who reached the milestone on Jan. 16, was honored with a ceremony that featured a video with tributes from current and former teammates including Zdeno Chara, Tuukka Rask and Jaromir Jagr to his current teammates.

"I was on the bench for a few of the guys ... so I knew what to expect a little bit but it was it was more, more than I expected," said Krejci. "It was a pretty special moment and having the family there with me, yeah, it was like I said, more than I expected. It started before the game in the room with the little boy. So yeah, just a special moment and very, very thankful that I'm part of this team."

Bruins hit the road: Boston will take off Tuesday for Seattle to start a four-game West Coast trip that will have them at Seattle (Thursday), Vancouver (Saturday), Edmonton (Monday) and Calgary (Tuesday). Bruins then will be home for four games to start March, before embarking on a five-game swing.

THREE UP

David Pastrnak: This is just one of those games, against a game opponent (Ottawa had won the first two against Boston this season), where Pastrnak just makes the difference with his greatness. The hands are unbelievable. Hit the cash register sound!

Charlie McAvoy: Three assists and the last two were just spectacular. He was really feeling it today. 

Linus Ullmark: Made 30 saves, including 5 of 6 in the high-danger area to improve to 29-4-0. He's won his last four starts and has saved 118 of 125 shots in that span — a ridiculous .944 save percentage.

ONE DOWN

Matt Grzelcyk: Had a mental error that allowed the Senators to tie it when he tried to pass through Dylan Gambrell, who knocked down the puck in the corner and centered it to Claude Giroux in the slot.

PLAY OF THE GAME

You almost have to feel for the Sens here. Can't set it up any better.

LOOSE PUCKS

- Pastrnak scored at least 40 goals for the third time in his NHL career (40 goals, 2021-22; 48 goals, 2019-20). Only four active players have more: Alex Ovechkin (12), Steven Stamkos (six), Auston Matthews (four) and Connor McDavid (four).

- Boston (91 points in 56 games) matched the NHL record for fewest games to 90 points in a season set by the 1979-80 Philadelphia Flyers.

LOOKING AHEAD

Bruins start a daunting 4-game trip at 10 p.m. Thursday in Seattle against the Kraken.