David Pastrnak has Productive, Unsurprising Night in Preseason Debut

David Pastrnak did David Pastrnak things in the Boston Bruins’ Friday night game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Despite the 4-3 shootout loss, the winger’s preseason debut included two goals and some productive cycles on the new-look power play. Pastrnak was joined in the lineup by Bruins regulars Charlie McAvoy, Pavel Zacha, Hampus Lindholm and Brad Marchand, who sported the ‘C’ for the first time at TD Garden.

Skating on a line with Zacha at center and Anthony Richard on the left wing, Pastrnak shook off the summer rust with 14:49 of ice time and said he was happy to get some game-action under his belt.

“Physically it’s good. Mentally and position wise, you feel a little lost and you’re trying to get the brain and legs going at the same time after two months of just skating up and down the ice. First game’s always like that,” Pastrnak said.

Richard practiced with Zacha and Pastrnak on Thursday after he was previously on a line with Morgan Geekie and Trent Frederic earlier in camp. The new acquisition didn’t get as many 5-on-5 opportunities as he might’ve liked alongside top-tier companions on Friday, but his speed was noticeable and there were no glaring holes in his performance.

“I knew he’s a good skater because I was fortunate enough to do a skating test with him. I knew that about him, that he’s pretty fast,” Pastrnak said of Richard. “He’s a very smart player, he can find himself in scoring areas.”

Pastrnak served up his first tally of the night at 12:46 of the first period on the power play, collecting the puck by the left circle from McAvoy at the point and wristing it home to tie the game 1-1.

The Bruins’ power play, which has been marked by Patrice Bergeron at the bumper position for over 10 years, had a different look but it worked somewhat seamlessly. Pastrnak, Zacha, Marchand, McAvoy and Alex Chiasson comprised the first unit.

The right-shot Bergeron was replaced with lefty Zacha, shifting the cycle to the other side of the zone, and the vets all took it in stride.

“We all know ‘Bergy’ had a lot of experience in that position and he was one of the best, if not the best, at it,” Bruins assistant coach Joe Sacco said. “But ‘Pav’ can shoot it very well. I thought the power play looked pretty good tonight. We moved it around, we found some seams. They did a good job.”

The B’s got four opportunities on the man advantage throughout the night, all of which they produced high-danger looks on. Marchand battled for solid net-front positioning, pulling the five players in as they snapped it across the slot, wearing out the Flyers’ defense, creating space and finding openings.

If one thing’s for sure after Marchand’s first preseason game, his captaincy is not taking away from his pesky, in-your-face persona.

“Definitely a different look, definitely something we’re not used to. Kind of shifted all the way to the other side a little bit,” Pastrnak said. “But it’s a different look, first day, first game together I thought we moved the puck pretty well. We had a lot of opportunities, I think, each power play. Ended up getting one, so felt pretty good honestly.”

Pastrnak’s second goal of the night was almost laughable. He picked up a Joel Farabee pass intended for Egor Zamula at the blue line and broke out to the net, casually flipping the puck over Samuel Ersson’s glove like it was a warm up shot.

Bruins fans didn’t learn anything new about Pastrnak on Friday, but they were reminded of the force that is No. 88 and the star power that remains on a roster that has been highlighted for its fractures the past few months.

Things may very well be okay.

“Definitely felt like a pretty good pace out there,” Pastrnak said. “We obviously didn’t play to our standard or what we would like so gonna work on that. But other than that, it’s preseason. Glad that the first one is behind us.”