Bruce Cassidy, David Pastrnak downplay winger's goal-less skid
Right now, I haven't taken notice of it very much because the team's playing well and we're getting secondary scoring,” said coach Bruce Cassidy. “But generally, I have noticed he's turned down some opportunities to shoot. It's tough to tell a creative player when the right time is, especially one that's scored goals in this league. So hopefully he just recognizes it. Sometimes simpler is better when you're in a slump. Getting around the front of the net, getting those second chances. Those type of goals usually get you going. We'll see what happens from there. I don't believe it's going to be prolonged. He'll get his looks and score. He's just too good a player.”
Cassidy didn't buy the suggestion that the third player with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand — who have such a strong chemistry — can become a bit of a passenger.
“I think they want to play well for those two, whoever's on that line. They're so good on the puck, so good defensively, they want to do their part,” said Cassidy. “Sometimes the puck, when it finds you it's just not cooperating. A couple found him the other night, and he just misfired. It happens over the course of 82 games. I think if he gets to the net a little more often — they're in the zone a lot — there'll be an opportunity to get a greasy one. That's generally how you get out of it. Maybe he'll get a great tic-tac-toe play tonight and prove me wrong, but that's usually the way it starts and it goes from there.”
