Bruins Notebook: David Pastrnak working his way through slump

When you think of David Pastrnak‘s game, different things may come to mind.

Maybe it’s the speed. Perhaps it’s the one-timer from the elbow. For the gripers in the crowd, it may be the ambitious moves he doesn’t always pull off.

But the engine that drives it all is the bubbling, effervescent joy he has for the game. And as the one-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner has struggled through the first seven games of the season, Pastrnak concedes he hasn’t had quite the same bounce in his step.

With four days between games and three practices, Pastrnak said he aims to rectify that when asked what he planned to focus on in this week’s practice sessions.

“Mostly just having fun and getting better every day, work hard and that’s when I’m the most successful, feeling the best and playing the best hockey, when I’m enjoying it and having fun,” said Pastrnak, who has 2-3-5 totals in seven games. “It’s definitely a good practice today and I had a lot of fun. I’ll enjoy Halloween tonight and get back to work on Tuesday.”

He looked very much like the old “Pasta” on Sunday at Warrior Ice Arena, especially at the end of the practice when he scored the game-winner on a two-on-two scrimmage on a nifty backhander, igniting his team’s typical over-the-top celebration. He was also the same engaging, playful guy when chatting with the small group of reporters after practice.

But Pastrnak and his girlfriend Rebecca absorbed a blow over the summer to which only a few people can relate when their infant son, Viggo Rohl, died just six days after his birth.

He addressed the loss in a statement to reporters in training camp, thanking all the people who have shown him support. Beyond that, he has asked that reporters not broach his personal loss in questions to him, a request that has been respected.

That doesn’t change what he endured. Coach Bruce Cassidy, in addressing some of Pastrnak’s early on-ice struggles, said he was playing a little “catch-up,” referencing the time in the off-season he needed to deal with the tragedy.

“I think he had a difficult summer and he needed some time away. He deserved that, him and Becky, so I think he stepped away from the game for a while whereas other guys (were more plugged in),” said Cassidy. “I can’t speak for David, it’s just that I feel for him and I think part of is it might have affected what some of his typical training days would look like. At the end of the day, I think there’s still a little bit of that, both mentally and physically catching up. And like I said, I’m 100 percent behind him. He’ll be fine. He’s going to play through it. He’s too good of a person and obviously too good of a player, so he’ll be fine. I know he’ll be fine. He’ll be a good player for us.”

So it came as no surprise that in Sunday’s practice, Cassidy had Pastrnak right back skating with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand after he had dropped him down a line in Saturday’s 3-2 shootout victory. The coach also anticipates Pastrnak will be in that spot when the B’s play again on Thursday against the Red Wings.

But in the process of catching up, Cassidy believes Pastrnak has kept his best weapon – his shot – holstered too often, despite the fact he leads the team in shots with 31.

“He seems like he’s looking to make plays right now more than shoot and I guess for guys like us that watch how well he shoots the puck, you’re thinking ‘Why?’ He’s such a good shooter,” said Cassidy. “But he’s a creative player. He wants to make plays, he wants to shoot when the opportunity’s right. I just think he’s been off net a little bit. He’s had some bouncing pucks that normally would go in, especially here. I think our ice, especially because of the weather, is not quite as crisp as it will be. That could have something to do with it as well. But he’ll get better. He cares and he wants to get better. He’s in good spirits, it’s just about translating it on the ice, about the shot vs. pass mentality. Sometimes players go through that stretch.”

Guilty as charged, conceded Pastrnak.

“Yeah definitely. But that’s just how I am,” said Pastrnak. “Even though I’m a shooter, I always look for pass first. I would definitely want to get that out of my game, even it up and make the right decisions… That’s a part of when things don’t go your way. Sometimes you’re passing instead of shooting, or the opposite. But I always like to set up, but I have to get back to a little bit of shooting more and getting opportunities, thinking shot-first, especially when things are going a little bit of slower as usual.”

Pastrnak did not seem overly concerned, however. Now 25 and in his eighth NHL season, he feels he’s developed a big enough memory bank to break through it.

“I’ve had some slumps during my career, so I’m pretty sure I’m experienced enough to know how to handle it these days,” said Pastrnak. “I know it’s going to come, so I’m just focusing to have fun and these couple of days is great timing so I’m pretty sure I’ll be fine.”

This and that

After missing three games before returning Saturday, Craig Smith was given a maintenance day on Sunday…

Cassidy said that Nick Foligno (upper body) has begun skating again, but not with the team yet. There’s still no target date for a return.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3w2hBMe