BOSTON — David Pastrnak shook his head after the Bruins’ 5-2 loss to the Stars on Thursday at TD Garden.
The Bruins star forward took a hooking penalty seconds into the middle period and a tripping call just before the 8-minute mark. The Stars scored goals on both ensuing power plays.
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Through eight games, Pastrnak has been called for seven minor penalties. He’s never had more than 47 penalty minutes in a season and he’s currently on pace for almost 150. He’s had more goals than penalties called on him each year of his career, but his one goal and two whistles Thursday left him with five goals and seven penalties.
“I can’t remember taking this many penalties in my career as it is this season,” Pastrnak said in disbelief.
Pastrnak isn’t alone. The Bruins have been guilty as a group of too many penalties this season. Through eight games, Boston leads the NHL with 110 penalty minutes and has been shorth-handed a league-high 40 times.
“Bad on my part. I can’t put the team in shorthanded situations,” Pastrnak said. “I definitely took too many penalties today. I need to take better care of my stick.”
