The Boston Bruins started the 2026-27 season with a power play that looked broken. They went 0-for-10 through their first four games. One of just five league squads to score zero man-advantage goals was the result of that run. Then came Thursday night at TD Garden, and the math changed fast. The Bruins scored three times on the power play against the Utah Mammoth. They finished 3-for-4 on the man advantage in a 6-1 blowout.
David Pastrnak led the charge with two goals on the power play. Morgan Geekie received an assist from him to net his first goal this year. This sudden surge flipped the script on a unit that had been stuck. Pastrnak summed up the turnaround with a simple truth about the sport. “That’s the beauty of hockey, right? One night, it doesn’t go your way. Pastrnak remarked regarding the power play, “The following evening, you were almost flawless.” The team knew they had the talent to score; they just needed to stop hesitating.
Young Guns Run the Show
The real story might be who ran the show during this breakout. Frederic Brunet tallied his first NHL point in just his third game. Leading the primary power play unit was the 23-year-old defenseman. He stayed true to his word after the morning skate when he told reporters he was “not the focal point on that power play.” Instead, he acted as a distributor. Brunet set up Pastrnak for the first goal of the season.
Morgan Geekie admitted he was nervous when the puck came to him. “I was freaking out when I got that puck, because I didn’t know what to do with it, so I’m glad that [Brunet] knew what to do,” Geekie said. The young defenseman brought a calm presence that helped the whole unit click. “He’s got a calm presence to him out there and seemed very comfortable. So it was nice to be able to make some plays tonight,” Geekie added.
Old Guard Backs the Youth
The veteran stars are making sure the new players feel supported. Pastrnak highlighted how Brunet beat two defenders to make the pass. He also praised Matt Poitras for his shot and noted that James Hagens has been getting good looks. “It’s obviously important, you know. [Brunet] made a heck of a play on my goal. He beat two guys with a nice move and pass. [Poitras], great shot. James [has] been having nice touches and good looks,” Pastrnak said.
The older players know they have a duty to help the rookies grow. Pastrnak emphasized that the team needs these young guys to step up. “They’re a big part of our team, and we need them. Us older guys need to be there for them and give them as much experience we can so they can elevate their game with every single day,” Pastrnak said.
With a 61.5% conversion rate on their opportunities, the Utah Mammoth began the match possessing the league’s top power play. Per Yahoo Sports, Utah had been a nightmare on the man advantage all season. The Bruins killed off seven penalties to shut down that threat. Jeremy Swayman stood tall with 36 saves on 37 shots. The win proves the Bruins can fix their biggest problem quickly. They just need to keep the puck moving and trust the young guys to make the right play.
Oh, and there was a little frosting on the cake…
