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Boston Bruins: Czech Line Thrives

By Joe Palencia

BOSTON, MA - MAY 21: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins reacts after scoring in the third period of Game Four of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Washington Capitals at TD Garden on May 21, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 21: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins reacts after scoring in the third period of Game Four of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Washington Capitals at TD Garden on May 21, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Bruins started their season tonight with a win in Washington against the Capitals on Wednesday night. The big story coming from this game is the return of David Krejci from playing overseas last season.

Aug 19, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins forward David Krejci (46) skates against the Carolina Hurricanes during game five of the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins forward David Krejci (46) skates against the Carolina Hurricanes during game five of the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

There is a lot of buzz surrounding this season due to the large apparent possibility that Captain Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci will be retiring at the end of the year.  With three major players out long-term to start the season, many wondered if the Bruins would even make the playoffs this year. Wednesday night’s performance showed that the Bruins can hold their own just fine while the guys heal up.

The Bruins started off the first period hot. Opening the scoring at 7:58 in the first on a Patrice Bergeron Power Play goal. They kept up the pressure and David Pastrnak would add to the lead with a goal at the 15-minute mark. The Bruins controlled a lot of the first period showing that new head coach Jim Montgomery wasted no time picking up this team’s pace of play.

The Capitals came out slow in the second and Boston was able to take advantage when Taylor Hall tapped in a rebound to make the lead 3-0. Washington would score 2 straight to bring the lead down to 1 going into the 3rd. Jake DeBrusk left the game with an upper-body injury.

The Bruins were able to find their game in the 3rd and added to their lead with a goal from David Krejci and Hamuss Lindholm, finishing out the game with a 5-2 final score. Goalie Linus Ullmark was great, stopping 33 shots and flashing the leather quite a few times. If the Swayman-Ullmark duo can have another solid season there is no reason they shouldn’t be considered in the running for the Jennings trophy.

Bruins David Pastrnak
Nov 28, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) scores a goal on Vancouver Canucks goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) during the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

In the final preseason game, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery was forced to shuffle around the forward group due to injury. Thus the Czech line was born consisting of fellow Czechian teammates David Krejci, David Pastrnak, and new Bruins Forward, Pavel Zacha. The Bruins won and the Czech line racked up 8 points!  Montgomery decided to keep them together to start the regular season and they delivered big in game 1. David Krejci tallied 3 points with a goal and 2 assists. Hopefully, this will put any rust talk to rest.  Krejci was lights out all game constantly making the right play to swing the momentum in Boston’s favor.

Krejci’s linemate David Pastrnak put on a show for the fans racking up a goal and 3 assists for a total of 4 points to start the season. Pasta is a free agent this off-season and everyone knows the Bruins will pay top dollar for the star winger. The big question on everyone’s mind is how big the number will be on the check.

The Bruins looked a little rusty at some points in the game. This may be due to the new speed that Jim Montgomery’s system is run on. expect them to catch their wind and be running wild on everyone soon. They’re not perfect right now but if the Bruins play like they did tonight more often than they don’t, it’ll be a fun season to follow when everyone is healthy. Much of the holes in the Bruins game tonight will be fixed with time and the additions of their missing players Brad Marchand, Charlie McAvoy, and Matt Grzelcyk.

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