BSJ Game Report: Bruins 4, Penguins 3 - B's get special performance from Pastrnak to down Penguins

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 4-3 win against the Penguins, with BSJ insight and analysis:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

Pastrnak nets three as B's takedown Pens: In case you forgot, David Pastrnak is a special player.

The Bruins' star winger scored three to lead the B's past the Penguins, 4-3, in Pittsburgh on Saturday. Pastrnak netted goals 54, 55 and 56 on the season in the back-and-forth affair.

Charlie McAvoy had the other tally for the Bruins while Pavel Zacha finished with three assists in Patrice Bergeron's spot on the top line. The B's captain was held out to rest some nagging injuries.

Jeremy Swayman made his first start in goal in six days and earned the win with a 21-save performance.

The Bruins scored during their first power play of the afternoon following pretty passing from the second unit. Tyler Bertuzzi and Pavel Zacha picked up the helpers on McAvoy's goal, which gave the B's a 1-0 advantage at 6:20 of the first.

Bryan Rust quickly evened the score for the Penguins with a goal off the rush at 7:33. Sidney Crosby found Rust with a neat backhand pass and Rust finshed upstairs on Swayman for the equalizer.

The Bruins' power play cashed in again early in the second period with Pastrnak's 54th goal. Dmitry Orlov flung a backhander on goal and Pastrnak deflected it past Tristan Jarry (31 saves) for the 2-1 lead at 1:41.

Rust got the Penguins back on track in the third with his second of the contest off the rush, but Pastrnak snapped home another at 7:07 to give the B's the 3-2 edge.

Jake Guentzel tied the score once again with a snap shot from the slot that Swayman never saw. The Bruins challenged for goalie interference, but the goal was confirmed.

Boston's No. 88 wasn't done as Pastrnak ripped home the hat-trick strike with a one-timer at 17:34 of the third. Pastrnak's game-winning goal proved to be enough as the B's held on, 4-3.

THREE UP

Pastrnak pots three: Three more goals from Pastrnak moved him within four of 60 and the B's winger trails Connor McDavid for the league lead by five. Pastrnak's third goal of the night lifted his team past a Penguins team fighting to stay alive in the playoff picture.

Pastrnak has now scored in four consecutive games.

B's special teams: The Bruins scored half of their goals on the power play and killed off all six Pittsburgh power plays in one of their better special teams performances of late.

Boston recorded two power play goals for the first time since Dec. 19 against the Panthers with markers from McAvoy and Pastrnak's first.

The penalty kill was even better as the Penguins had a 5-on-3 late in the second as well as three separate power plays in the third, but the Bruins gave the hosts nothing each chance.

The Bruins have not allowed a power play goal since March 23 against the Canadiens.

Swayman secures the win: The Bruins' backup only saw 24 shots, but the netminder made a few grade-A stops throughout this one against Pittsburgh.

Swayman stopped Guentzel on the breakaway in the first and second period, plus made another save on a Penguins odd-man rush in the middle frame to keep the B's ahead.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Pastnak's first goal also gave the 26-year-old 100 points on the season. Pastrnak becomes just the third Bruins player to reach 100 points in the last 25 years.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bruins will travel to St. Louis to take on the Blues on Sunday. Boston will be without Bergeron once again as the B's captain did not make the trip this weekend.

Puck drop is set for 3:30 p.m.