David Pastrnak, one of eight members of the Boston Bruins participating in the Olympics, is making it clear that he holds himself to a higher standard as the preliminary round concludes. With three points—one goal and two assists—through the group stage, including his first Olympic goal against France, Pastrnak is looking to elevate his game as Czechia prepares for the first round of playoff action.
Czechia finished the group stage with a record of 1-0-1-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L), earning their eighth seed after starting with a loss to Canada, a win over France, and a narrow overtime defeat against Switzerland. The team’s next challenge comes against Denmark on Tuesday at 10:40 AM.
While Pastrnak’s offensive contributions are notable, it’s clear that opposing teams are strategizing to minimize his impact on the ice. “It’s more demanding, teams are scouting and preparing,” he acknowledged, emphasizing the need to adapt and find opportunities in the offensive zone despite being closely guarded. The Bruins winger is determined to improve, stating, “I have to be better, and I believe I will be.”
In a tactical shift, Pastrnak will move to a new line alongside Roman Červenka, who has captained the Czech team since 2018, and Lukas Sedlak. The three players have previous experience playing together, including at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, and Pastrnak expressed optimism about their chemistry, saying, “They are well-coordinated, which is a big advantage.”
As the team skates with the new lineup during practice, the urgency of the situation is palpable—one loss now means elimination from the tournament. Despite the stakes, Pastrnak remains focused and calm, stating, “I put the most pressure on myself; I don’t mind the outside world at all.”
Czechia’s roster is bolstered by 12 active NHL players, and as they gear up for the playoffs, all eyes will be on how Pastrnak adapts to this new line arrangement and how the team executes under pressure. The atmosphere is rife with a blend of anticipation and determination, as Czechia aims to make a significant playoff run, marking a hopeful journey in pursuit of Olympic glory.