BOSTON (AP) — David Pastrnak had his 12th career hat trick, scoring the tiebreaking goal with 4:10 left Thursday night to help the Boston Bruins beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 and move them ahead of the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Entering the game one point behind the Lightning, Boston finished the night with 85 points — tied with Toronto for second in the Atlantic Division. Tampa Bay has 84 points, good for fourth.
Jeremy Swayman stopped 22 shots for the Bruins, who have won 12 of their last 14 games and are 25-9 since New Year’s Day.