The Boston Bruins are counting on right winger David Pastrnak to help them navigate the final stretch of their NHL season, and the Czech native has been doing just that.

After scoring three goals in a win against the Ducks, Pastrnak is one goal away from tying Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid for the NHL lead.

Pastrnak’s 40th and 41st goals of the season

Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak scored his 40th and 41st goals of the season in a 3-1 victory against Ottawa Senators Monday night. Entering the game, the Czech winger had only scored one goal in six previous games; however on Presidents Day he made up for it with two high-skill goals.

His first goal, a daring breakaway, came in the second period and gave Boston a commanding 2-1 advantage. Additionally, he set up another goal with defenseman Charlie McAvoy's quick pass for an even bigger cushion at 3-2.

After David Krejci won an offensive-zone faceoff, Pastrnak leapt on the loose puck and sent it back to McAvoy at left point. McAvoy sent it on a slick move towards the front of the net where Pastrnak deflected it into play.

Pastrnak had three skill plays in the game, starting with his initial backhand shot on a breakaway to put Boston up 3-0 with 10:10 remaining in the third. It was an elegant move that took advantage of Mandolese's lack of coverage on the left side of the net.

The Bruins are riding a streak of four straight wins and have taken an impressive lead in the Eastern Conference standings. On Thursday night they'll have another opportunity to improve upon this position when they head out on their four-game road trip to Seattle for another chance at improving it further.

Pastrnak had one goal and three assists to tie Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid for the NHL lead, but he decided it wasn't even close to being important enough for consideration.

Since 2014-15, he's been an indispensable member of the Bruins lineup and has emerged into an impressive young star. A perfect fit for Boston's market, he could potentially replace Patrice Bergeron as their franchise leader someday.

With 26 games remaining, 50 goals are within his grasp and Pastrnak still has the chance to capture the Maurice Richard Trophy as league's leading scorer - an incredible accomplishment for both him and Boston's superstar forward.

Pastrnak’s hat trick against the Ducks

On Sunday night, Boston Bruins' David Pastrnak fell one goal shy of tying Connor McDavid for the NHL lead after recording his 13th career hat trick to secure a 7-1 victory against Anaheim Ducks and cap off their 3-0 west coast swing.

Pastrnak scored twice in the first period, both on the power play, and completed his hat trick with a breakaway goal in the second. He also recorded an assist for the win. Jeremy Swayman made 28 saves to keep Pastrnak's season-high 32 goals at 32 in 40 games intact.

He now has eight goals in his last four games and leads all active NHL players with 77 points through 55 games this year, marking a career high for the 26-year old who has been one of Boston's top scorers since 2014-15.

In a contract year, Pastrnak has done his part to help the Bruins keep Boston long-term. And he's been an important factor in why the team is 11-0-3 over its last 14 games.

His hat trick on a perfect West Coast swing is proof of why the Boston faithful have been so impressed with him thus far this season. After an otherwise disappointing trip to California, the Bruins ended their time there with an exhilarating victory against their former club in San Jose.

After a stifling start, the Bruins gained some breathing room with an early Marchand goal and Pastrnak's power play goal. These two goals gave Boston a 2-1 lead just 10 minutes into the game.

Late in the first, Trevor Zegras scored for the Ducks to cut the lead to 2-1. But that would be as close as they came; shortly thereafter, Marchand tied it with his third goal of the season.

Pastrnak's two goals in the second were just the start of Boston's offensive surge. Grzelcyk's pass created a breakaway for Pastrnak at 11:56, and 17 seconds later the Czech forward beat John Gibson with an emphatic snipe. Hampus Lindholm and Charlie Coyle added additional goals late in regulation as the Bruins secured their fourth straight win.

Pastrnak’s 30-goal season

David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins has been an integral part of their impressive play this season and continues to prove himself one of NHL's elite goal scorers. In fact, he's only two goals away from tying McDavid for the league lead in goals, and it appears likely that he could keep up with Edmonton Oilers star right winger through the remainder of this regular season.

On Monday night, Pastrnak scored twice in a 3-1 win against the Ottawa Senators to move his season total to 40 goals and add an assist - giving him 72 points, 245 shots on goal, and an plus-25 rating through 51 games.

Pastrnak's hat trick leaves him one goal shy of matching McDavid's NHL career high of 48 goals set last season. Furthermore, Pastrnak becomes the fifth player in Boston Bruins history to score at least 40 goals twice in one season and first since Cam Neely did so twice between 1989-90 and 1990-91.

The Boston Bruins have won four straight and are on track for a record-setting regular season thanks to superstar winger.

After a streak of quiet games, Pastrnak has found his groove again in January. His two goals in Tuesday's 4-2 victory against the Montreal Canadiens give him 12 goals and seven assists for this month - giving him 12 goals and seven assists overall.

His goal-scoring prowess has propelled the Bruins to an impressive 43-8-5 record and +92 goal differential this season. He currently ranks second in NHL with 37 goals and third with 69 points, having yet to go more than one game without recording at least a point this year.

He's scoring more than one goal per game in January, which is double the Bruins average this season. Additionally, Pastrnak is shooting an incredible percentage on the power play and boasting a +4 rating this month; further demonstrating why he remains one of the premier power-play goal scorers in the NHL. If he can keep producing at this level throughout the remaining months of this campaign, Pastrnak may become one of NHL's elite players over time.

Pastrnak’s 30-assist season

Pastrnak is just one goal away from tying Connor McDavid for the NHL lead in assists. The Bruins star forward has registered 30 assists through 49 games this season.

He's the first player in Bruins history to reach 30 assists before age 22; Cam Neely did it five times at 22. It is an incredible accomplishment for the young forward, who has already passed former teammate Brad Marchand for second place on their all-time scoring list.

One reason Pastrnak has reached this milestone so quickly in his career is due to the support of his teammates this season. Notably, Marchand has drawn assists on 26 of Pastrnak's goals this year - an impressive feat considering Pastrnak's goal-scoring success has been built upon their willingness to assist when necessary.

Pastrnak's line has been more effective this season than when he played with Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci last season, when they combined for only 16 assists in 41 games. Furthermore, the addition of Trent Frederic-Charlie Coyle-Craig Smith has significantly bolstered Boston's offense.

Another notable development for the Bruins has been their revamped second line. While Pastrnak's impact has been most evident on their top line, his work with Krejci and Hampus Lindholm down low has been equally impressive.

This month, Pastrnak has recorded his longest 13-point streak ever and also registered six multi-point games - an enormous victory for someone who had been struggling with his shot earlier in the season.

With his recent surge in production, Pastrnak appears on track for 50 goals this season - two goals away from joining the Hall of Fame's record book of 60 or more goals scored under 26 years old. That puts Pastrnak on track to becoming another iconic Boston Bruins sniper.

Pastrnak is currently the Bruins' leading scorer and has been instrumental in their recent resurgence. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that upper management at Boston will continue awarding him lucrative contracts as long as he keeps up his stellar play.

The Wrong Place at the Wrong Time Could Have Prevented a Tragedie

On September 18, 2016, a shootout broke out outside a popular stretch of bars in Tuscaloosa, Alabama that claimed the life of 23-year-old woman. This incident quickly made national headlines as it took place just steps from Alabama University campus.

On that fateful night, Tuscaloosa Police Investigator Brandon Culpepper testified that university's top basketball player, Brandon Miller, was in an inappropriate location. He brought Darius Miles a gun which would later be used in shooting, according to testimony given on Tuesday by Miller himself.

The wrong spot at the wrong time

Alabama's Brandon Miller was in the wrong place at the wrong time and did not intervene to prevent a tragedy that could have been avoided. According to police investigators, the second-ranked Crimson Tide star basketball player--projected as a first round pick in this year's NBA draft--was in Tuscaloosa on January 15 when he allegedly brought a gun to a murder scene.

On Tuesday, the case against University of Alabama freshman Darius Miles and former teammate Michael Davis in the shooting death of Jamaa Harris near Bryant-Denn Stadium became more complex when Tuscaloosa Police investigator Branden Culpepper testified that Miller brought a pistol to the scene after receiving instructions from Miles via text message.

Culpepper testified that Miles directed him to the gun in Miller's car and handed it to Davis, who fired it. Prosecutors believe this shooting was caused by an argument between Davis and Miles over their sexual advances on Harris.

On the Strip in Tuscaloosa, Alabama - home to bars and restaurants catering to students - Harris was tragically struck by a bullet while sitting in her car while riding it back from work. Her police investigation has yet to reveal what caused this tragic event.

Miles and Davis were charged with capital murder in the shooting. Prosecutors and defense lawyers presented conflicting accounts of what transpired, but Chief Deputy District Attorney Paula Whitley informed the judge there was enough evidence to proceed with proceedings against Miles and Davis.

On Tuesday afternoon, a judge denied bond for Miles and sent his case to grand jury. No decision had been made as yet regarding Davis' bond; however, his mother Mary Turner appeared in court to request her son be released from jail.

It is an incredibly unfortunate scenario for Alabama basketball star Jordan Poole. With almost certain first-team All-American status in the final weeks of the season and millions in club contracts and free agency possibilities, this development would be devastating to a young man widely considered as a top five pick in the 2023 NBA draft by most experts.

The wrong person at the wrong time

Alabama's Brandon Miller has had an incredible college basketball season. At 6-foot-9 forward, he's currently ranked No. 4 on the AP Top 25 and expected to be a first-round draft pick this summer. Additionally, Miller earned back-to-back SEC Freshman of the Week honors this winter.

Miller is the leading scorer for Alabama, averaging 18.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. This year he's had some incredible performances such as his 24-and-9 outing against Michigan State in Portland, 36-point performance in an upset win against Gonzaga, and 19-and-7 output in a dominant victory against Kentucky.

On Jan. 15, a shootout occurred near the University of Alabama campus called "The Strip," in which several people were wounded and one 23-year-old woman died from her wounds.

On September 18, 2016, a shooting occurred outside an array of bars popular to students near the university. Police reported at least eight shots were fired, two vehicles were hit, and 23-year-old Jamia Harris was tragically fatally struck.

On Jan. 15th, Darius Miles and Michael Lynn Davis, two individuals involved in the shooting, were arrested on capital murder charges. This case has gained national notoriety due to its two Alabama football players as potential witnesses.

Law enforcement sources report that Miller was asked by his teammate Miles to bring him the gun used in the alleged shooting. Miller then transported it in his car to where it is believed to have been fired from.

That seems like a bad idea. Miller's consent to this seems strange, especially given that he was under the influence of alcohol on the night of the incident.

Even more tragic is the thought that Miller was involved in a tragic situation which could have been avoided had someone been at the right place at the right time. Whether or not Miller is charged, we will all remember this story of him bringing his gun to a shooting that occurred in Tuscaloosa for years to come.

The wrong decision at the wrong time

One wrong decision at the wrong time can lead to tragedy. That was certainly the case when Alabama's Brandon Miller brought a loaded gun to The Strip in Tuscaloosa last month and used that gun to murder Jamea Jonae Harris.

This shooting has dealt a severe blow to the University of Alabama basketball program. In fact, it could be seen as something of a national embarrassment for coach Nate Oats.

Culpepper testified in court Tuesday that Miller had been asked by teammate Darius Miles to bring his gun to the scene of the shooting on January 15. That incident occurred along The Strip, a strip of bars and restaurants catering to students near Bryant-Denny Stadium.

A text message sent by Miles to Miller asking him to bring the gun was included in a court document. It read, "Bring it here."

Miller arrived and saw Miles and another man, Michael Lynn Davis, inside the vehicle. Police described it as a shootout.

Police reports state Miles asked Miller to bring his gun over and Davis took it from the car before firing it.

Miller and Davis remain uncharged in the case, which will now go before a grand jury for review.

It's a tragic situation that leaves Alabama program with some questions, yet one which could have been avoided. Had Miller only taken Miles' gun and given it to him at the scene, perhaps the outcome would have been different.

Miles could have avoided this tragedy had he simply called Miller and requested that he retrieve his gun from his car before firing it, the incident could have been avoided.

But instead of reaching out to Miles and Davis and telling them to take care of themselves, Oats downplayed the severity of the situation. It was as if he were saying, "This wasn't a real tragedy; this was just a speed bump on our way to a Final Four."

It appears that Miles texted Miller asking him to bring his gun, and it appears he took Miller's gun out of his car before firing, then Oats and Alabama should be held accountable for downplaying this tragic event. It's hard to accept a coach who throws his hands up in the air when asked if he can impact such behavior from one of his best players doesn't know what action to take.

The wrong place at the wrong time

A wrong place at the wrong time is an expression that suggests someone finds themselves in a difficult situation through no fault of their own. It has many applications in psychology and serves as one of the foundational concepts.

On Tuesday morning, Alabama star basketball player Brandon Miller made headlines when he brought a gun to a bar where his teammate was drinking. Miller is expected to be one of the top draft picks in 2023 and had been suspended earlier that day for fighting with another fan.

That wasn't the right decision, and he failed to prevent the shooting that left Jamea Jonae Harris, 23, unarmed in Tuscaloosa on Jan. 15, police report.

Though the exact circumstances of what transpired at the bar remain uncertain, it appears clear that Miller was in an unsafe situation by bringing a gun to the scene. Arresting Miller would have saved Harris' life and made for an intriguing storyline had he done so with permission from his former teammate.

Miller may not be charged with any crime for bringing Miles' gun to the scene, but this incident still poses a significant problem for Alabama and is sure to remain so throughout their season. It is the most troubling aspect of an already contentious season for the Crimson Tide and one that won't go away anytime soon.

What occurred was Darius Miles asking Miller to bring his gun to the scene after a bar fight, and Miller did just that - while Miles was in his car nearby.

But if Miles asked Miller for the gun, then that should be something the coach and his teammates should be very concerned about. Carrying a weapon into an argument shouldn't have been done out of self-preservation; rather, it should have been done out of self-protection in an open bar setting.

That is why it's essential to have a comprehensive understanding of what occurred that night. Furthermore, having the support of both coaches and teammates--both in this instance as well as elsewhere--can be instrumental.

Texas A&M Takes Down No. 11 Tennessee In SEC Showdown

On Tuesday night, the Aggies (20-7) rallied to defeat Tennessee (19-7) 68-63 in an SEC showdown. Wade Taylor IV led the charge with 25 points while Julius Marble added a career high 21 points and tied his season high with nine rebounds.

After starting the second half on a 10-0 run, the Volunteers (14-9) came within one point at 50-41 with 11:25 remaining. A 3-pointer from Santiago Vescovi pulled them within one at 59-56 with 12 minutes left, but Dexter Dennis' dunk and free throws gave the Aggies an advantage they would not relinquish.

Wade Taylor IV led the Aggies with a career-high 25 points

On Tuesday night in College Station, Texas A&M University saw Wade Taylor IV score a career-high 25 points and Julius Marble add another 21 as they cruised past No. 11 Tennessee in an SEC battle.

With the win, A&M improves to 15-2 since Christmas and 6-4 in Quad 1 opportunities; they also extend their winning streak to six games. After a slow start, the Aggies went on a late charge late in the first half to take an impressive 31-31 lead at halftime.

Tennessee pulled within one point of the lead with just under 16 minutes remaining in the second half, and held that advantage until late in the third quarter when Texas A&M made a 17-4 comeback to take command by 10 at the end of it. With seven minutes left in play, Nkamhoua missed two free throws while Dexter Dennis hit a jumper for the Aggies for an 87-56 advantage with seven minutes remaining.

At the foul line, the Aggies made 28 of 34 shots and forced 18 turnovers while Tennessee only converted 10 of 13 attempts from the charity stripe. Furthermore, Arkansas out-rebounded Tennessee by one point and outscored them in points off turnovers by 1.

The Aggies have made a great start in SEC play, improving to 9-2 overall and 8-1 in conference action. If they can pull off another victory, they will finish second in the conference and may even secure an NCAA Tournament bid. Their next opponent will be Mississippi State (18-10, 6-9) on Saturday afternoon (TV: SEC Network).

Julius Marble added a career-high 21 points

On Tuesday night, Julius Marble II scored a career-high 21 points to lead Texas A&M to its sixth straight SEC victory. He also grabbed nine rebounds in the 68-63 victory against No. 11 Tennessee before an electric crowd of 12,989 at Reed Arena - all sold out!

The Aggies started slowly, trailing by 9-0 with 6:12 left in the first half. But Taylor and Marble - each having double-digit scoring nights - helped A&M come within 27-24 with 3:36 remaining before intermission.

Taylor and Marble had left the court when A&M embarked on an 11-point run over 4:22. That spurt was fueled by turnovers, including two that led to 3-pointers from Dexter Dennis.

That stretch was all the Aggies needed to take a commanding 50-41 lead in the second half. Yet Tennessee's Santiago Vescovi and Zakai Zeigler kept them within striking distance, particularly in the final 7 minutes.

With 3:25 left in the game, Zeigler hit a free throw to pull Tennessee within 62-61. But Taylor hit two more of his 16 free throws in the final 46 seconds to help the Aggies hold off and secure victory for themselves.

The Aggies improved to 21-7 overall and 13-2 in league play with their win, keeping them atop the SEC with six conference victories. With two games left, A&M still has a chance to win the conference title; however, if they want to be an at-large team in the NCAA Tournament they must improve further.

Tyrece Radford added 10 points

The Aggies may not be a household name, but coach Buzz Williams has taken them from 15-2 and eight straight losses to reaching the NIT championship. Their success suggests they could be a force in the SEC West with an experienced core that should remain intact as well as room for growth.

Radford, who spent two seasons playing for Virginia Tech and was named the SEC's Most Improved Player last season, has been an instrumental factor in their recent success. In his last 12 games he has averaged 14.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest - including three double-figure efforts.

On Friday night in the SEC quarterfinals, Henry Coleman III scored 19 points and hit five 3-pointers to help propel eighth-seeded Texas A&M's NCAA Tournament hopes. With this win, Coleman III now sits at 16 points for his side - who will face Arkansas in Saturday's semifinal.

An exciting final game capped off an amazing season for the Aggies. They beat an SEC rival for the first time in 30 years and rebounded from a heartbreaking loss at Missouri to advance to the quarterfinals.

At halftime, they trailed by a point at 31-31, but began the second half on an 15-0 run that extended their lead to nine and eventually gave them a 57-56 advantage with seven minutes left in regulation. But the Volunteers would not go away easily and eventually pulled within one point when Dexter Dennis hit a jumper for an 11th minute lead.

Rick Barnes and the Volunteers are back in the SEC for a third year, though they're not quite at their former level. KenPom ranked them ninth while AP only included them in March's top 10. However, many familiar faces like Kennedy Chandler, Zakai Zeigler, and Olivier Nkamhoua remain; with plenty of talent still present to take it to new heights.

Dexter Dennis had eight points

The Aggies held off a strong charge from the Tigers, who outscored them 41-17 in the first half to take an early lead of 41-17. Texas A&M shut out Auburn with 1-for-14 shooting from three-point range during that span of time.

After an impressive victory against Alabama, Tennessee couldn't replicate that success in their subsequent two games against Kentucky and Missouri. Now 0-6 in road SEC play and 2-5 overall this season, Tennessee faces off against a team that is 13-0 at home and has won five straight. Tennessee looks to make amends Tuesday when they host No. 9 Tennessee for what promises to be another challenging test as they look to continue their impressive home record of 11-3 this season.

In addition to their road losses, the Vols have shot an unimpressive 4 of 14 from the free-throw line. In their 66-54 loss at Kentucky, senior guard Josiah-Jordan James and freshman forward Julian Phillips both missed the game due to injuries.

As expected, Texas A&M capitalized on the absence of James and Phillips to pull away. The Aggies had an impressive second half, outscoring the Volunteers 45-33.

Dennis notched eight points, including two 3-pointers. Additionally, the former Baker High School standout had three offensive rebounds.

Dennis earned praise for his defense, forcing Kentucky and Missouri into long-range shots. He also finished with a season high six assists. One of the most promising players in the SEC, Dennis will be an integral part of Gregg Marshall's Wichita State program moving forward; starting alongside UConn graduate transfer Alterique Gilbert in the backcourt.

Jahmai Mashack had three offensive rebounds

Jahmai Mashack of Etiwanda High School will miss several months due to the coonavirus pandemic, but he remains determined to play. After signing his National Letter of Intent with Tennessee last June, Mashack will return home in June.

Mashack, a 6-foot-4, 201-pounder from Fontana, California, has proven that he can handle the challenges of Division I basketball. In two recent games for Tennessee, the sophomore has been an instrumental factor in their comebacks: recording five points, two assists and four steals in 21 minutes against Missouri on Wednesday; then following that up with four points and three offensive rebounds against Alabama. It appears Mashack may be ready for anything the future may hold for him!

On Wednesday, He played 27 minutes against Alabama, most of the time guarding freshman star Brandon Miller - who entered averaging 18.8 points per game.

But the incoming Alabama recruit had his work cut out for him, as he went 7 of 17 from the field and 4 of 10 at the foul line. Additionally, he was an integral part of Alabama's formidable defense which held them to a season-low 19 turnovers in the match.

Texas A&M's win kept them one game behind SEC-leading Alabama and three ahead of the Volunteers. Now 12-2 in SEC play, Texas A&M is 5-0 against top-25 teams this season.