David Pastrnak stepped up for the Boston Bruins, recording one goal and four assists for five points in the first two games against the Buffalo Sabres.
The Bruins and Sabres are tied 1-1 heading into Game 3 of their first-round series in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
What happened in the series?
The first two contests in Buffalo saw great back-and-forth action, with Pastrnak's performance standing out.
He finished the 2025-26 regular season with 29 goals and a career-high 71 assists for 100 points, his fourth consecutive 100-point campaign.
Why it matters for David Pastrnak
Tyler Yaremchuk, on *Daily Faceoff LIVE*, noted that Pastrnak is often overlooked as a top-tier player, despite being fourth in the NHL in scoring over the last three regular seasons.
Pastrnak's numbers put him right in between Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in the league's scoring rankings.
What comes next for the Bruins?
Carter Hutton, former NHL goaltender, agreed that Pastrnak deserves more credit, and his coming-out-party in the playoffs could be a turning point.
The storylines will continue to build as the series progresses, with Pastrnak's performance under scrutiny.
And the Bruins will look to Pastrnak to continue his strong play in Game 3.
But the Sabres will also be looking to bounce back from their losses.
So the series is still wide open, with the Bruins and Sabres tied 1-1.
The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs have already seen some exciting action, and Pastrnak's performance is a key part of that.
As the series heads into Game 3, all eyes will be on Pastrnak to see if he can continue his strong play.