It seemed like a matter of when — not if — as far as the chances of David Pastrnak joining the 50-goal club with the Bruins.
After all, the 26-year-old winger has already come close to joining the select company of black-and-gold skaters with 50+ tallies on their resume.
Entering the 2022-23 season, Pastrnak had already recorded two 40-goal campaigns and surpassed the 30-goal threshold another three times.
And with his potent one-timer not showing any signs of slowing down, Boston’s top sniper was expected to stuff the stat sheet once again in his ninth NHL season.