Most teams struggle with injuries, especially when the injury list includes the first-line, franchise center. The Boston Bruins, however, continue to win games with Patrice Bergeron out of the lineup. They can thank David Krejci for that.
Krejci stepped up to the first line in Bergeron’s absence, and that line, and the entire team for that matter, hasn’t missed a beat.
Krejci continues to produce at an elite level with Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak as his linemates. He now has six points in his last five games, including three multi-point efforts.
In the annual Black Friday matinee against the Rangers, Krejci was at his best. He assisted on Pastrnak’s game-tying goal in the third period, and then he won the game in overtime off a feed from Pastrnak.
.@pastrnak96's torrid start to the season rolled on Friday afternoon.
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) November 30, 2019
🎥 Catch up on all the highlights from the #NHLBruins 3-2 OT win over the Rangers: pic.twitter.com/P8ZAxNJM07
Krejci finished the game as a +2, and he won nine of 14 faceoffs. He was the best center on the ice for both teams, and he was a big reason why the Bruins came back from a two-goal deficit to win the game.
After the game against the Rangers, Krejci now has 19 points in his last 20 games. That’s an incredible pace for any player, let alone one who usually lines up on the second line.
Krejci’s emergence over the past month or so definitely stands in stark contrast to his start to the season. He missed a few games early in the season with an injury, and many questioned whether or not Krejci could stay healthy this year.
Then, when he came back from injury, Krejci looked a little rusty. He struggled to find his skating legs, and he and linemate Jake DeBrusk couldn’t get much going.
Krejci, however, turned things around once he started to get more ice time. Now, he looks like a top-line center, and he plays some of the best hockey of his career.
This is great news for Boston, especially because of the injury to Bergeron. Because Krejci looks so good right now, the Bruins can really take things slow with Bergeron. They don’t have to worry that the offense will fall behind.
Krejci remains an important piece for Boston, now more than ever without Bergeron in the lineup. And, when Bergeron does come back, Krejci will be integral when it comes to secondary scoring.