BOSTON -- It's no secret this is the worst season in modern history for the Boston Bruins.
A close second is 2006-07 under then-coach Dave Lewis when the team finished a dismal 35-41-6. Nothing went right for the Bruins that season.
It's much of the same in 2024-25. There's no need to mention all the craziness that has occurred this season, because fans don't want it pushed in their face once again. Watching this team in the midst of a nine-game losing skid with only seven games remaining in the regular season just adds to the misery.
While there hasn't been too many bright spots, David Pastrnak deserves a ton of credit for the leadership he has shown both on the off the ice. With the season in obvious disarray, he could have easily shut it down and gone through the motions, but that hasn't been the case for No. 88.
As the Bruins continue to fall in the standings as one of the worst teams, Pastrnak has been one of the best players in the league since Jan. 1. In fact, he has 20 goals and 26 assists for 44 points in his last 30 games.
Yes, the stats are impressive, but he's been saying all the right things, trying to stay positive during the organization's downward spiral. Never really thought he would have the ability to maybe one day wear the 'C' for the Bruins, but he's proved a lot of people wrong the last few months, especially in the absence of Brad Marchand, who was traded to the Panthers at the deadline.
His two goals against the Capitals Tuesday night at TD Garden was an example of his no-quit attitude, despite the 4-3 loss.
It's been difficult to find the positives this season, but Pastrnak is certainly one of them.
