In a season of little growth, and stunningly deep regression, Pastrnak has emerged helmet and shoulder pads above everyone else on the $80-something-million roster.

Jeremy Swayman also picked up his second straight win. In a season that has been decidedly short on good times, it wa a fun night for the B’s in Newark. The B’s have now won four games since their franchise-altering trade deadline, and they’ve all come again playoff-bound teams — Tampa, Florida, Carolina and now Jersey.

Pastrnak recorded a hat trick and added two assists in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Hurricanes.