David Pastrnak missed five weeks for the Boston Bruins after suffering a thumb injury during team-sponsor dinner. It was a freak injury and thought to be a major blow. The Bruins managed to survive without him, and Pastrnak returned to action on March 19.
Pastrnak revealed that while he was out, his mother apparently offered to visit to help take care of him. However, he ended up declining her offer and citing one major reason for that, according to WEEI's Matt Kalman.
My mom, she wanted to come, I told her she can’t. Because I would be probably 20 pounds heavier when I come back. So I told her just to stay away.
Pastrnak's selfless decision ensured that he returned to the ice at the same weight he left it. He was able to maintain his agility and skating ability as a result. Of course, it's notable that he was able to skate while dealing with the thumb injury, so maybe he would have been able to work off the extra weight anyway.
Since returning to the lineup, Pastrnak hasn't missed a beat. He has logged 11 points in five games since his return and recently notched a hat trick, his third of the season, against the New York Rangers.
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