David Pastrnak hat trick keys win, Bruins pass Lightning in East

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David Pastrnak's hat trick led the Boston Bruins past the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In the game and in the standings.

Pastrnak had his 12th career three-goal game, scoring the tiebreaker with 4:10 left Thursday night to help the Bruins beat Tampa Bay 3-2 and move them ahead of the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Entering the game one point behind the Lightning, Boston finished the night with 85 points — tied with Toronto for second in the Atlantic Division. The Bruins improved to 2-0-1 against Tampa Bay, which is fourth with 84 points.

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Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) celebrates after his third goal of an HHL hockey game during the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

"Three times now is going to give us confidence," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. "On the flip side, we know who Tampa Bay is, they know who they are, and the road runs through them. I’ll never get down on Tampa. They’re too good a hockey club, they’ve accomplished too much. But good for us."

Jeremy Swayman stopped 22 shots for the Bruins, who have won 12 of their last 15 games and are 25-9-3 since New Year's Day.

Brandon Hagel and Steven Stamkos scored for Tampa Bay, and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 36 saves for the Lightning.

Erik Haula assisted on all three of the Bruins' goals — his first career three-assist game — as Pastrnak twice tied it after the Lightning took the lead.

"Guys go through stretches when they're feeling it," Cassidy said. "And he's feeling it right now."

The Bruins had a four-minute