David Krejci has missed twelve games so far due to a partially torn MCL in his left knee. Last week, the Bruins top line center began working out with Bruins’ strength and conditioning coach John Whitesides. Krejci was on the ice today for the second straight day at Ristuccia Arena. The twenty-eight year old Czech forward is entering the four to six week recovery window, and signs point to him making a return to the game as early as this weekend.
“I’m just taking it day-by-day. I’ve got a good week , and we’ve been going at it pretty hard,” said Krejci. “So it’s just another step forward today. I don’t really have a timeline. Whenever it feels one hundred percent then I’ll be back. I feel pretty comfortable that I’ll be back pretty soon, and I’ll be able to play a bunch of games. So that should be enough to get me ready for the playoffs.”
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David Krejci could be back playing for the Bruins as early as this weekend. The team decided to let him travel for the Bruins current road trip. While he’ll likely not play against the Ottawa Senators (in a game that may decide the fate of both teams), he’ll probably see action against the Panthers.
“He’s coming on the trip. I can’t tell you any more than that because really, nobody’s told me when he’s coming ,” said Coach Claude Julien after today’s practice. “I talked about, is he a possibility for the weekend? That could be a possibility, if I’m told he is, but right now, nothing has been said to me.”
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Herein lies the problem. It’s obvious Krejci is going to have some rust getting back in the swing of things. Having a rusty top line center is dangerous, and it’s almost suicidal for a team that is trying to hard to stay in the playoff hunt. So where can the B’s put Krejci until he gets back in the swing of things?
“I just want to work hard when I get back, and I want to try to fit in,” said Krejci. “I want to try to just fit in with the group of guys. I am open to whatever. I will play wherever the coach puts me, and I’m going to try to do my best.”
The Bruins know that the Pastrnak-Spooner-Lucic line is grooving well. He won’t split that line up. I can’t see Julien breaking up the Bergeron line either. So, what will likely happen is that the B’s will put Krejci with Loui Eriksson and Chris Kelly. This will give Julien the opportunity to finally give Carl Soderberg a healthy scratch. Soderberg has scored in over two months, and he needs to watch the game from the ninth level. A healthy scratch was just what the doctor ordered for Daniel Paille, and will certainly work wonders for the Bruins third-line center.