Pasta's Personality A Perfect Fit for All-Star Game

SAN JOSE, Calif. - There isn't much that can stop David Pastrnak from smiling these days.
Now in his fifth season in the NHL, the native of Havirov, Czech Republic, is leading the Bruins with 27 goals and 56 points through 49 games. The 22-year-old is quickly emerging as one of the league's most dangerous and consistent goal scorers, his efforts earning him a spot at his first All-Star Weekend.
With all of those accolades and plenty more on the way, not even a couple of chipped teeth can stop the winger from displaying his signature smirk.

"I've fixed them so many times," said Pastrnak - with a grin, of course - describing his two front teeth, which were chipped by a high stick two seasons ago. "Every time I got them knocked out, it hurt more and more. Now I got used to it…I was close to fixing it last year…I'm probably gonna fix it at some point. No rush."
Pastrnak's now-signature smile has become as synonymous as his lethal one-timer and his extravagant outfits - though he insists his red carpet swag will be toned down a bit this weekend.
"I actually kind of backed out," Pastrnak said of his All-Star attire. "I didn't have anything special. Didn't want to stick out too much…no hat, I was close, but I'll leave it for P.K. [Subban]."
Nevertheless, it's that exuberant personality and genuine joy for all things hockey that make him a perfect fit for the game's grandest individual stage.
"It's a huge honor," said Pastrnak, fresh off a vacation in Cabo San Lucas for the first few days of the Bruins' bye week. "Obviously a lot of excitement. Got a little rest the last couple days, very excited to be here with all the guys. The first one you kind of don't know what to expect, you just see it on TV.
"Really exciting, but just here to have so much fun and get to know the other guys. It will be a fun couple days with the guys you usually play against every day…try to get the most experience [I can] from the other guys and really be excited to see all these great players."

More from Pasta's media day press conference in San Jose:
On his breakout season to this point…
"I've felt pretty good on the ice. Most importantly, I've been healthy. Hopefully I will keep going and I'm aware of what I can do when I'm healthy.
On how much his shot has improved…
"[I wasn't] a scorer growing up as a young player. Obviously, lately, the last couple years I've turned more into a scorer than a playmaker. Got a little bit better than when I entered the NHL…everybody loves to score, but since I was a kid I always loved to prepare the goals for the other guys. When you get older you get tougher and tougher, that's probably how I changed to score [more goals]."
On the influence Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand have had on his career…
"Big time. Those guys have unbelievable chemistry together. We all know they are great players and the biggest thing for me is the chemistry they have. They always talk stuff out. They never get mad at each other. The off-ice was probably the biggest thing for me to learn from them."
On turning into one of the premier players from the Czech Republic…
"I don't really want to put myself in any kind of spot. I want to get better every year. The big thing is that I was healthy. Being able to get better every day. That's huge for me. Still can get better every day."
On playing three-on-three vs. five-on-five…
"Three-on-three is better than five-on-five. I love three-on-three, I'm really excited for that. We play overtime like that…I think you have so much space out there to shine. Obviously you have so much space, you only got two line mates. Feels like kid hockey again."