David Pastrnak colliding with Carolina goalie Antti Raanta early in Game 2 should have been a minor penalty and a virtual non-story from there.
It became a bigger story, though, because Raanta was injured on the play, and then Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour seemingly accused Pastrnak of intentionally running Raanta after the game.
Brind’Amour was asked by a reporter if, between Pastrnak’s collision and Brad Marchand slashing Pyotr Kochetkov (Raanta’s replacement) later in the game, he thought the Bruins were targeting his goalies.
“What do you think? It can’t get any more obvious,” Brind’Amour responded.
Well, Pastrnak responded to that response -- as well as others who think he tried to hurt Raanta -- on Friday.
“Whoever thinks I tried to injure him obviously doesn’t understand hockey,” Pastrnak said. “I’d rather stay no comment on that.”
“We’re doing a set play. I’m coming with full speed trying to get the first touch,” Pastrnak added. “He’s trying to clear it, so obviously I wanted the puck to hit me. I’m not going there to bury the goalie, but stop the puck and maybe bounce in. He’s getting out of the crease, so I just tried to stop the puck and set up our power play.”
Pastrnak also has no history of being a dirty player. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety obviously agrees that there was no intent to injure, as Pastrnak did not face any supplemental discipline for the play. Marchand did get fined $5,000 for slashing Kochetkov.
Speaking of Pastrnak and Marchand, they will be reunited on the Bruins’ top line with Patrice Bergeron for Friday’s Game 3, as that is one of several lineup changes coach Bruce Cassidy is making.
“We need to be a little better. I think it's the perfect time,” Pastrnak said of the move. “We've been together for a while, so we know what to expect from each other. I'm excited. It's been a while. It's gonna be fun tonight.”
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