Boston Bruins: David Krejci becomes seventh Bruin to hit 500 assists

Mar 11, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center David Krejci (46) is congratulated after scoring a power play goal during the second period against the New York Rangers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center David Krejci (46) is congratulated after scoring a power play goal during the second period against the New York Rangers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

David Krejci further engrained himself in Boston Bruins history on Saturday afternoon.

Just 45 seconds into the second frame of the Bruins’ 7-5 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Krejci turned and fired a shot from the slot that deflected off of Nick Ritchie and to the stick of David Pastrnak, who fired it into an open net to put the Bruins up 2-1. With the assist, Krejci hit the 500-assist mark, becoming only the seventh Bruin to ever do it in franchise history.

Pastrnak made sure to collect the puck on his way to the bench to celebrate the achievement, and Pasta had this to say after the game about the fellow Czech’s accomplishment.

"“Yeah, you know, it’s outstanding accomplishment, I’m really happy for him. 500 assists — he’s a playmaker. So obviously, or I hope, it means a lot because it’s incredible. Not many Czech players (have) done it.”"

Assists have been the name of the game when it comes to David Krejci.

It shouldn’t come to much of a surprise that Krejci was able to hit 500 assists. He has nearly 2.5 times as many career assists as he does goals (500 assists, 209 goals), recording more assists than goals every season of his career in the NHL.

At 500 career assists, he is now just 16 assists behind Wayne Cashman for sixth all-time in career assists in Bruins’ history. And Pastrnak was right, Krejci now is only the fifth-ever Czech-born player to get 500 career assists, joining Jaromir Jagr, Patrik Elias, Jakub Voracek and Vaclav Prospal.

This season, Krejci has 21 assists, which puts him second behind Brad Marchand for the team lead. While he has struggled to put the puck in the net (just two goals on the season, including one this same game), he’s been a play-making machine, doing it with a number of different wingers as Bruce Cassidy continues to try and find the perfect combination on the second line.

Now Don Sweeney, go get a goal-scoring winger to play alongside Krejci so that we can have more Krejci apples and see him climb up the record books even further.