Krejci is hitting his stride with Hall by his side
There have been times this year when David Krejci seemed like he was stuck in neutral. Even a brief union with Czech countryman David Pastrnak before the trade deadline didn’t produce any sparks. But Krejci has had noticeable jump in his step since the deadline, when the Bruins obtained Taylor Hall and plunked him down on Krejci’s left side. In the four games since the acquisition, Krejci has three goals and two assists while his second line with Hall and Craig Smith (two more assists for 6-11-17 points in his last 16 games) has become a legitimate concern for the opposition.
The ever-understated Krejci said the line can get even better.
“Obviously, we add a player like (Hall) it’s pretty exciting and for me to have him on my line it’s been pretty good so far. We know there’s some stuff we can be better at. It’s tough with the schedule we have to get practices, so we have to communicate a little bit more, more videos and stuff like that,” said Krejci.
“I think I can help (Hall) and he can help me. Smitty is playing really well. He’s doing the dirty work and getting us the pucks in good areas. Obviously we’re clicking. But we’ve got to keep it going. Crazy schedule, but we always have to be ready for the next game.”
His first goal Sunday was a first-period tap-in off a good Connor Clifton pass, but his second goal was vintage Krejci. Hall and Smith had won a puck on the left boards and Smith sent a pass over to Krejci in the right slot. As he calmly waited for a helter-skelter Dmitry Orlov to go sliding by, he picked the shortside upper corner and beat Vitek Vanecek.
Krejci said he at first was looking for a backdoor play, but instead decided to snap it. It pleased his coach.
“I’m not going to lie, I’m on the bench saying ‘C’mon Krech, shoot the damn thing!’” said coach Bruce Cassidy. “Because there’s been a couple of times where he looked off shots to make plays. And he’s got a good shot, especially from the slot. But he knows the game, has as good a feel for it as anybody. He found the right spot, good goal for us.”
Captain Patrice Bergeron said Krejci “fooled everyone on that play,” something Bergeron’s been witnessing for nearly a decade and a half.
“With Krech, it’s instinctual. It’s the type of game he’s played since I’ve known him, slowing the pace down, slowing the game down. Not everyone can do that. There are guys who can have patience but to actually be able to slow it down in the fast-paced game we’re playing in in this age is impressive,” said Bergeron.
Halak to join practice
Cassidy said that that Jaroslav Halak, who just finished up a two-week stint on the COVID list, has been on the ice by himself and it is expected he’ll be able to join the group for Monday’s practice.
“He’s doing well. Obviously tough if you’re in quarantine, not much going on but you’ve got to grind it out. A few guys have had to go though it for that length of time. He’s feeling good and working on his game,” said Cassidy.
The organization could be faced with an uncomfortable position shortly. Jeremy Swayman, believed to be the team’s No. 1 goalie of the future, has been excellent since both Halak and Tuukka Rask went down, giving the team a chance to win each game.
However, it is a decision that does not have to be made yet.
“Until (Halak) gets some reps, we don’t know when he’ll get back in there next. We’re just glad to see him around the rink, in a good place and back with the group,” said Cassidy.
Odds and ends
Jakub Zboril was scratched because of a non-COVID related illness. Jarred Tinordi replaced him in the lineup but had to leave midway through the third period after being boarded facefirst into the dasher by Garnet Hathaway…
Matt Grzelcyk missed his fifth straight game with an apparent head injury, but Cassidy said he’s continuing to skate and will likely travel with the team on Monday for the club’s fivegame road trip to Buffalo and Pittsburgh. …
With the B’s new fourth line of Sean Kuraly, Curtis Lazar and Chris Wagner playing well right now, Trent Frederic was again the odd man out.
“They’ve done a good job for us,” said Cassidy. “No line is perfect. Don’t get me wrong. But every player in that forward group has helped us win this week and the lines are starting to find their way a little bit.” …
After taking a couple shots off his left foot on Saturday, Zdeno Chara had to sit out Sunday’s game. …
With a minus-4 day, Alex Ovechkin is minus-13 against the Bruins in the first seven games of the season series.