{'byline': 'by Scott McLaughlin', 'hosts': '', 'byline_sources': '', 'audience_id': '', 'original_station': [{'station': 'weei', 'path': 'weei/sports/bruins/david-pastrnak-is-dominating-since-return-from-injury'}], 'syndicated_items': [{'station': 'waaf', 'path': '/waaf/sports/david-pastrnak-is-dominating-since-return-from-injury'}, {'station': 'mix1041', 'path': '/mix1041/sports/david-pastrnak-is-dominating-since-return-from-injury'}, {'station': 'magic1067', 'path': '/magic1067/sports/david-pastrnak-is-dominating-since-return-from-injury'}, {'station': 'big103boston', 'path': '/big103boston/sports/david-pastrnak-is-dominating-since-return-from-injury'}], 'original_item': {'_index': 'published-content_v44', '_type': '_doc', '_score': None, '_source': {'date': '2025-12-12T05:06:12.033Z', 'lead': [{'data': {'title': 'Does this Bruins team has a better connection than last? 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Now he’s returning the favor and making up for lost time, as Pastrnak has completely taken over in a pair of Bruins wins since returning to the lineup.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj2e7nl1000e01qbttpuv5h7@published'}, {'data': {'title': 'Skate Pod: Pastrnak and McAvoy are so back', 'allowed': True, 'componentVariation': 'title'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/title/instances/cmj3cuwo1000b357ts1xexcf6@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<iframe frameborder="0" height="200" scrolling="no" src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=CAD1555157409" width="100%"></iframe>', 'isIframe': True, 'componentVariation': 'html-embed', 'fbInstantArticleHtml': '<iframe frameborder="0" height="200" scrolling="no" src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=CAD1555157409" width="100%"></iframe>'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/html-embed/instances/cmj2eftds002o357tlu5yrwyx@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'In Thursday’s 6-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets, Boston’s fourth straight victory, Pastrnak had two goals and two assists. That after tallying three assists in his first game back Tuesday in St. Louis.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj2efh580022357tc1osmeaa@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'After the Jets took a 1-0 lead early in the first, Pastrnak tied it 2:25 later on the power play, taking a pass from Charlie McAvoy (who made his own return to the lineup Thursday) at the top of the right circle and firing a shot high blocker past Eric Comrie. With that goal, Pastrnak is now alone in fifth place on the franchise goals list with 403, moving one ahead of Rick Middleton.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj2efh6e0024357tc9740mxy@published'}, {'data': {'url': 'https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/1999291206983987326', 'html': '<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">THAT'S 4️⃣0️⃣3️⃣ FOR DAVE <a href="https://t.co/GdLjYgSJa2">pic.twitter.com/GdLjYgSJa2</a></p>— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/1999291206983987326?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2025</a></blockquote>\n\n', 'showMedia': True, 'showThread': True, 'componentVariation': 'tweet'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/tweet/instances/cmj2efh5t0023357t79nhrn5x@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Goals from Casey Mittelstadt and Sean Kuraly gave the Bruins a 3-1 lead, but then Alex Iafallo cut the deficit in half for Winnipeg. Pastrnak set up the goal that restored the two-goal lead, taking two shots himself before Hampus Lindholm followed up on the rebound and buried it.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj2efh800025357tks3htcqn@published'}, {'data': {'url': 'https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/1999307236590440747', 'html': '<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">HAMMERED IT HOME 🔨 <a href="https://t.co/a3bknLklQZ">pic.twitter.com/a3bknLklQZ</a></p>— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/1999307236590440747?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2025</a></blockquote>\n\n', 'showMedia': True, 'showThread': True, 'componentVariation': 'tweet'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/tweet/instances/cmj2efh870026357t5dsa1bdi@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'After Gabriel Vilardi cut it to 4-3, Pastrnak stepped up again with an even prettier assist to a Lindholm, this time making a slick feed to Elias Lindholm, who finally scored his first 5-on-5 goal of the season.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj2efh9j0027357tkkua6m61@published'}, {'data': {'url': 'https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/1999320755356745997', 'html': '<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WHAT A DISH BY DAVID 🍝 <a href="https://t.co/sisTomT4Cw">pic.twitter.com/sisTomT4Cw</a></p>— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/1999320755356745997?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2025</a></blockquote>\n\n', 'showMedia': True, 'showThread': True, 'componentVariation': 'tweet'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/tweet/instances/cmj2efh9s0028357ti8igmo3s@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Pastrnak closed out the win with an empty-netter, after nearly setting up Morgan Geekie seconds before. Over the last three seasons, Pastrnak is now plus-12 when the opponent’s net is empty, second-best among all Bruins who have played in that time, behind only Nikita Zadorov (+14).', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj2efhb50029357twa7hckrf@published'}, {'data': {'text': '“Obviously, I came into winning, and the boys were playing unbelievable hockey before I came back,” Pastrnak told NESN after the game. “So, just try to jump in and join. It’s always easier when the team is winning, and I think that’s what’s happening.”', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj2efhcb002a357tib40qmbm@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'With McAvoy – who was a plus-4 in 24:16 on Thursday, by the way – now back as well, the Bruins briefly had as close to a full lineup as they’ve had in a long time. Unfortunately, they then suffered two more injuries as Thursday’s game went on.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj2efhdx002b357tuu6yobgd@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Defenseman Jonathan Aspirot, who had worked himself into a top-four role with his steady play, suffered an upper-body injury in the first period and did not return. Then forward Viktor Arvidsson left with a lower-body injury in the second period and also did not return. Arvidsson missed seven games with a lower-body injury last month before returning on Dec. 2.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj2efhf9002c357tkzpt6sa7@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'It’s not ideal, obviously, but this is a team that just survived a stretch without Pastrnak and McAvoy. “Next man up” has truly become part of their identity, because it’s needed to be.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj2efhgr002d357t86pkqbgx@published'}, {'data': {'text': '“Some top players come out, the guys who stepped in played amazing hockey, helped the team win and be productive,” Pastrnak said. “That’s our identity, next man up. We stick together, and we are as one team, not individually.”', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj2efhi8002e357tgibj86po@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'There is still room for individuals to shine within the team, though. Pastrnak has in his two games since returning, and McAvoy did in his first game back as well.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj2efhjq002f357t4hasne1t@published'}, {'data': {'text': '“They’re our best players for a reason,” Bruins coach Marco Sturm told NESN. “It’s nice to have [Pastrnak] back and see him 100 percent, I would say. … And Chucky, I don’t know. I have no words for him. He’s been outstanding. We missed him a lot, and to come back today the way he did, it was just amazing. Just a great human being, great hockey player. We missed him, and it’s nice to see him back with a smile.”', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj2efhl5002g357ts9ceujzu@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Pastrnak, McAvoy and the Bruins will aim to make it a three-game sweep on the road when they face the Wild on Sunday. 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David Pastrnak is dominating since return from injury

By Scott McLaughlinDec 12, 2025

Scott McLaughlin

Scott McLaughlin is a senior content producer for WEEI and Audacy Sports. He covers mostly the Bruins and also co-hosts WEEI's Skate Podcast. Scott…

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David Pastrnak's teammates picked up the slack while he was out, winning three of the five games he missed due to injury. Now he's returning the favor and making up for lost time, as Pastrnak has completely taken over in a pair of Bruins wins since returning to the lineup.

In Thursday's 6-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets, Boston's fourth straight victory, Pastrnak had two goals and two assists. That after tallying three assists in his first game back Tuesday in St. Louis.

After the Jets took a 1-0 lead early in the first, Pastrnak tied it 2:25 later on the power play, taking a pass from Charlie McAvoy (who made his own return to the lineup Thursday) at the top of the right circle and firing a shot high blocker past Eric Comrie. With that goal, Pastrnak is now alone in fifth place on the franchise goals list with 403, moving one ahead of Rick Middleton.

Goals from Casey Mittelstadt and Sean Kuraly gave the Bruins a 3-1 lead, but then Alex Iafallo cut the deficit in half for Winnipeg. Pastrnak set up the goal that restored the two-goal lead, taking two shots himself before Hampus Lindholm followed up on the rebound and buried it.

After Gabriel Vilardi cut it to 4-3, Pastrnak stepped up again with an even prettier assist to a Lindholm, this time making a slick feed to Elias Lindholm, who finally scored his first 5-on-5 goal of the season.

Pastrnak closed out the win with an empty-netter, after nearly setting up Morgan Geekie seconds before. Over the last three seasons, Pastrnak is now plus-12 when the opponent's net is empty, second-best among all Bruins who have played in that time, behind only Nikita Zadorov (+14).

"Obviously, I came into winning, and the boys were playing unbelievable hockey before I came back," Pastrnak told NESN after the game. "So, just try to jump in and join. It's always easier when the team is winning, and I think that's what's happening."

With McAvoy – who was a plus-4 in 24:16 on Thursday, by the way – now back as well, the Bruins briefly had as close to a full lineup as they've had in a long time. Unfortunately, they then suffered two more injuries as Thursday's game went on.

Defenseman Jonathan Aspirot, who had worked himself into a top-four role with his steady play, suffered an upper-body injury in the first period and did not return. Then forward Viktor Arvidsson left with a lower-body injury in the second period and also did not return. Arvidsson missed seven games with a lower-body injury last month before returning on Dec. 2.

It's not ideal, obviously, but this is a team that just survived a stretch without Pastrnak and McAvoy. "Next man up" has truly become part of their identity, because it's needed to be.

"Some top players come out, the guys who stepped in played amazing hockey, helped the team win and be productive," Pastrnak said. "That's our identity, next man up. We stick together, and we are as one team, not individually."

There is still room for individuals to shine within the team, though. Pastrnak has in his two games since returning, and McAvoy did in his first game back as well.

"They're our best players for a reason," Bruins coach Marco Sturm told NESN. "It's nice to have [Pastrnak] back and see him 100 percent, I would say. … And Chucky, I don't know. I have no words for him. He's been outstanding. We missed him a lot, and to come back today the way he did, it was just amazing. Just a great human being, great hockey player. We missed him, and it's nice to see him back with a smile."

Pastrnak, McAvoy and the Bruins will aim to make it a three-game sweep on the road when they face the Wild on Sunday. On paper, that should be the toughest game of the trip, as Minnesota has a 13-3-2 record since the start of November.

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