PHILADELPHIA – David Pastrnak hit for a hat trick on Sunday as the Boston Bruins set a new NHL record with their 63rd win of the season in a 5-3 decision over the Flyers. Jeremy Swayman made 34 saves to get the win.
Boston improved to an even gaudier 63-12-5.
“It’s been a lot of fun, I’m not going to lie,” Pastrnak said. “It’s been enjoyable, especially the group we have here. We obviously knew the stakes, and it’s definitely special to hit it in a game like this. Made history today.
“Our focus each day is to get better each game and get prepared for playoffs. Obviously the record is amazing but we’re building toward something bigger than the NHL record. That’s our focus.”
The Bruins needed 47 seconds of fresh ice in the first period to take a 1-0 lad on a strike by Charlie Coyle.
“For our team, it means that everything that we believe in, being process-oriented, staying in the moment, caring about each other, respecting each other, and how hard we play for each other, I think the word team is exemplified with that group in there,” Boston coach Jim Montgomery said.
Wade Allison tied it, 1-1, just 17 seconds later. Swayman mishandled a weak shot on goal and Allison poked it home.
In the second period, Pastrnak scored twice. He went five-hole at 2:04 of the middle frame for a 2-1 lead.
At 7:31 he one-timed a pass from left circle for a 3-1 lead.
Joel Farabee scored with six minutes left in the second when the Boston defense flubbed a rest pass back to the defensive zone. Farabee picked up the puck and beat Swayman cleanly.
“I think probably the last 10 games it could have gotten ugly for us, but we’ve dug down and tried to stay in games,” Farabee said. “We felt like we gave ourselves an opportunity there. They’re a really good team, they play really structured.”
The Flyers dropped to 29-38-13 off their sixth straight loss.
Pastrnak completed his hat trick with 37 seconds gone in the third period for his 60th of the campaign and a 4-2 lead.
“‘Marchy’ told me many, many years ago, when I was young, he said, ‘You have to always aim 10 goals higher than you think you can get,'” Pastrnak said of Brad Marchand. “So I was aiming at 60. Wasn’t really thinking I would get there.
“I know what kind of player I am in this League right now, and I came really close before COVID, so I knew I could do it. That helps with your mindset.”
Owen Tippet scored with nine minutes gone in the stanza to trim the deficit to 4-3 for the Flyers, he scored off a snap shot from the right circle.
Pavel Zacha put home a shot from the high slot for the 5-3 final with three minutes left on the game clock.
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Felix Sandstrom made 29 saves in the loss, and really could have made a difference in the outcome with two to three saves on easy shots.
 
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