(Philadelphia) The Boston Bruins beat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-3 on Sunday to score a 63e win and thus set the NHL record for most wins in a single season.
David Pastrnak was a big part of the win as he scored a hat trick to reach 60 goals for the first time in his career.
In the final minutes of the game, Bruins fans in Philadelphia shouted “we want the Stanley Cup” and cheered on their favorites as the last siren sounded.
The Bruins broke ties with the Detroit Red Wings (1995-96) and the Tampa Bay Lightning (2018-19).
“It was a lot of fun, I’m not going to lie,” said Pastrnak after his fourth four-point game this season. It’s been nice, especially with the group we have here. We obviously knew the stakes, and it’s definitely special to reach them in a game like this. We made history today in the biggest hockey league. »
PHOTO CHRIS SZAGOLA, ASSOCIATED PRESS
David Pastrnak was all smiles after his hat trick.
The Bruins, who signed a sixth straight victory, amassed 131 points this season and they are only one of the record set by the Montreal Canadiens in 1976-77.
There are still two games to play for the Boston squad and their opponents are not in the playoff race. The Bruins will hold home-ice advantage for the entire playoffs as they bid to lift the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2011.
Big guns were missing
The Bruins faced the Flyers without their first two centers, Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, their number one defenseman, Charlie McAvoy, forward Taylor Hall, defenseman Dmitry Orlov and goaltender Linus Ullmark.
Even though the roster was filled with American Hockey League players, the Bruins maintained the same recipe for achieving the record. Besides Pastrnak, Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha threaded the needle while Jeremy Swayman stopped 34 pucks.
“It’s tough to win in this league and there’s a reason that record is at 62 because not many teams can do that, so it’s a real honor,” said goaltender Jeremy Swayman. These guys are more than deserving. »
PHOTO CHRIS SZAGOLA, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Goalkeeper Jeremy Swayman, when the historic victory was confirmed.
The Bruins have passed their last 38 penalties and closed the game in the third period, after allowing a goal to Owen Tippett. They are 46-1-2 this season when they lead after two periods.
“They’ve had players absent, but it’s still a very good hockey team,” admitted Flyers coach John Tortorella.
Pastrnak joined Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid as the only 60-goal scorers this season. It’s the first time since 1995-96 that two players have reached this milestone in the same campaign, since the Pittsburgh Penguins duo of Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr.
Wade Allison and Joel Farabee also scored for the Flyers, who suffered their seventh straight loss. Felix Sandstrom made 29 saves.