The Boston Bruins are heading into the Olympic break with a little more than just momentum-they're carrying a sense of quiet defiance. Written off by many before the season even began, the Bruins have pushed their way into a playoff spot, and David Pastrnak is making it clear: they’re not just surviving, they’re competing.
“Definitely happy with where we are,” Pastrnak said following Boston’s shootout loss to the Florida Panthers on Wednesday night. And he’s got a point. If you’d told this team back in October that they’d be sitting in a playoff position come February, most would’ve taken that deal in a heartbeat.
At 32-20-5, the Bruins find themselves clinging to the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. It’s a tight race-Boston holds just a four-point cushion over the Columbus Blue Jackets-but there’s no denying they’ve earned their place at the table. This isn’t a team backing into the break; it’s a team that’s fought its way there.
Still, Pastrnak isn’t sugarcoating anything. “Lot of space to improve as a team and the way we play,” he admitted.
And he’s right. The Bruins have had their share of inconsistencies, particularly in closing out tight games.
But what matters most right now is positioning, and Boston has given itself a real shot heading into the season’s final stretch.
The Olympic break brings a pause to NHL action, but not for Pastrnak. The Bruins’ star forward is heading to Italy, where he’ll be a key figure for Czechia’s men’s Olympic ice hockey team.
He’s not just playing-he’s leading. Pastrnak will also serve as Czechia’s flag-bearer during the Opening Ceremony on Friday, a well-earned honor for one of the most dynamic players in the game.
Back home, the Bruins will be gearing up for a critical return. Their first game after the break?
A showdown with the Blue Jackets on February 26-a head-to-head battle with major playoff implications. That game could swing the wild card race in either direction, and Boston knows it.
So while the league catches its breath, the Bruins are staying focused. They’ve surprised people already, and with about 20 games left, they’re looking to do it again. Pastrnak and company aren’t just happy to be in the mix-they’re aiming to make noise when it matters most.