$90,00,000 Boston Bruins star self-critical after suffering fourth-straight loss in crushing defeat by Canadiens

David Pastrnak had termed the Boston Bruins' game against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday as a "must-win." The team was coming off a three-game losing streak to three other Canadian teams in the last five days. Unfortunately for Pastrak and co. the streak continues.

The Bruins lost 6-2 on the night, after taking a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission. Ivan Demidov had tied it in early in the second period before four Habs goals in the third sealed their win.

Bruins' star forward David Pastrnak, signed to an eight-year, $90 million contract, opened up about the mental fatigue that has crept into the team's performances in recent games during his postgame presser.

"It seems like a little mental fatigue these last couple of games with a lot of mental mistakes," he said. (6:30) "Hopefully everyone can spend a few days with their families and come back recharged because it’s not going to get any easier.”

Pastrnak was critical of his own play. Demidov's goal that tied the score for Montreal came on the back of a major miscommunication between Pastrnak and Nikita Zadorov. The former was calling for the puck from his teammate but wasn't ready when it eventually came towards him. He also had a goal ruled out due to goalie interference.

"I need to be better," Pastrnak added. "I'm not happy with my game today. So, that one is on me."

The Bruins' success since their record-setting 135-point season in 2022-23 has often hinged on David Pastrnak. After a slew of trades from that roster, Pastrnak has taken up increased responsibility, scoring 216 points in the last two seasons, along with 40 points in 33 games so far in this campaign. He has 4 points in his last six games, however.

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The Christmas break seems to be coming at the best possible time for the Bruins, who look desperate for a reset after a finishig their homestand with a 1-3-1 record.

"Honestly, we should be [reset] two games ago, but yeah, it's important," Pastrnak said. "You're going to stay professional, recharge, spend some time with family, and come back, and get ready to work cause it's not going to become any easier. "It's a lot of stretch of a lot of games. We have a really tough tough road trip coming up. We didn't get it done at home."

After a game in Buffalo, the Bruins will face the two teams from Alberta before New Year's, after which they will be heading to Vancouver and will round out their road trip in Seattle.

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Edited by R. Nikhil Parshy