Boston Bruins: David Krejci’s line are currently the fourth line
By Luke Ryan
The Boston Bruins, based on recent usage, is rolling a fourth line with a cap hit of $14.1 million.
By comparison, the Boston Bruins’ first line grouping, the so-called ‘Perfection Line’ of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak only has a cap hit of $19.6 million.
You might be wondering why exactly a fourth line group is earning so much money; simple fact is that it’s massively under-performing and would typically be seen as the Boston Bruins second line, comprising of David Krejci, Jake Debrusk and David Backes.
Recent play-off line usage has the grouping of Sean Kuraly, Noel Acciari and Joakim Nordstrom seeing the most ice-time together, at even-strength, across the past three games. In that regard, even the Bergeron group is a second line grouping for the Boston Bruins at this point of the Stanley Cup Final.
Obviously, basing such an opinion off of just ice time is a bit bold and you need to explore beneath the surface a little. Across the entire post-season, the Kuraly group has seen just 15.31% of offensive zone starts. By comparison, the Krejci group is sitting at 60.13% and the Bergeron group at 58.82%.
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It’s blatantly clear that the Kuraly group isn’t a top-six line, but rather one that can be trusted in the defensive zone. What it really speaks to is the lack of time spent in the offensive zone in the past three games, even in the Bruins’ 7-2 win.
It’s little wonder that such a level of trust has been placed on Kuraly and his line mates when they have a combined 10 points in this year’s Stanley Cup Final, compared to Krejci’s group and their 2 points, both courtesy of Debrusk assists.
Where the Krejci line has been able to shine is within the face-off circle, with a Krejci at a team leading 61.1% winning percentage among the regular face-off takers. This should be the key to turning the second line’s performance around; winning a faceoff, especially given the amount of offensive zone starts they see, should lead to offense.
It’s entirely plausible that they’re in a downward slump, form-wise or that the St. Louis Blues have managed to match them with players that completely nullify any threat. Whatever it is, it could prove key to the success of the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final. If Krejci, Backes and Debrusk can bust out, suddenly we’re all the more daunting to the Blues, especially since the third line has also been immense of late.
Obviously it’s never ideal to see players regularly cast as second liners playing the sort of minutes more associated with those on the fourth line, but you do what you do to win.
The Boston Bruins have seen the ongoing ability of their so-called fourth line to match-up against any group on the St. Louis Blues roster and perform admirably regardless. Couple that with a third line that is on great form and it’s easy to see why you drop a usual top-six group to bottom line status.
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Let’s hope it proves a wake-up call for that group and they shake out of their funk before this Stanley Cup Final series is over.