Boston Bruins forward David Krejci has certainly had an up and down season. Krejci finally seems 100 percent from his offseason hip surgery, and he’s been a vital part of the Bruins efforts these last few games.
David Krejci, like the Boston Bruins have had an up and down season. The B’s would find themselves in and out of playoff contention. Krejci would also alternately been on and off his game. There had even been talk earlier in the season of finding a way to move the 30-year old forward out of Boston.
But Krejci began to improve. As the team went into 2017, it seemed more apparent that the Bruins alternate captain was finally 100-percent from his offseason hip surgery. The goals and points started piling up. In the last few weeks, Krejci has come alive for the Black and Gold.
Krejci was the big star in the B’s most recent win, a statement-making 6-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. Krejci tallied two goals and an assist in that performance. That three-point game put Krejci back into third place in overall scoring for Boston. He now has 46 points and looks on track to have another 20 goal season.
Part of Krejci’s problem has been finding reliable people to play with. While the Bergeron line has had the constant presence of Brad Marchand on it, Krejci hasn’t had that much luck. He does seem to his best work when paired with fellow Czech, David Pastrnak. They were paired together on Wednesday and the results spoke for themselves.
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“I would say that having Pastrnak on his wing – he’s probably enjoyed that. Who wouldn’t?” said interim head coach Bruce Cassidy of Krejci and how he has been doing on the B’s second line. “I think Krech’s strength is a transition game most of the time, when he’s making plays through the neutral zone or small ice plays. So when we have to do it on the forecheck I think Pasta has really helped him get some pucks back.
“But we’ve allowed him to play to his strength and most nights he’s been very good. And tonight it was nice to see him score, too, because he’s generally pass first.
“And he’d probably tell you he could have had four tonight…so it was good for him I think he needed it.”
"I thought we played on our toes. We kept trying to always get the next one."
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 9, 2017
🎥 David Krejci postgame: pic.twitter.com/y0fpHW4t39
David Pastrnak has seen David Krejci as not just a line mate, but as a mentor. The 20-year old Czech forward has played consistently good hockey when he’s paired with Krejci. Pastrnak has probably been the best winger for him since Milan Lucic was traded a few years ago.
“He was all over today and he had a great game, I think,” said Pastrnak after the Bruins victory over the Red Wings. “It was easy for me to follow him…he just had a great game, and hopefully we can keep going.”
Next: Brad Marchand Has His First 70-Point Season
Hopefully, Bruce Cassidy sees the writing on the wall. He should keep Pastrnak and Krejci together. They play the same way that Bergeron and Marchand do. They’ve got great chemistry. Also, giving the B’s another dangerous line to deal with will give other teams problems.
Every point is precious now, the B’s will need their best players firing on all cylinders. Thankfully, it looks like Krejci is ready to make a run for the playoffs.