As the Bruins prepare for their playoff run, they will be playing their first game in months. While they will need some time to get up to speed, they will enter the playoffs well-rested. That is key for their veteran core which includes David Krejci, who has thrived in the playoffs during his career. The Bruins’ center is coming off a solid regular season and looking to win his second championship in Boston.
In a shortened regular season, Krejci had a productive year as he notched 13 goals and 30 assists. The former second-round pick also had 14 points on the power play, including 11 assists. While he was unable to match his goal total from last year, Krejci had the highest shooting percentage of his career.
This sequence by David Pastrnak and David Krejci was absurd. pic.twitter.com/fnDfQJq6zv
— Evan Marinofsky (@EvanMarinofsky) May 20, 2020
For the Bruins to be successful in the postseason, they need Krejci at his best. In 132 career playoff games, Krejci has 36 goals and 67 assists. He has also shown a flair for the dramatic as he has eight game-winning goals in the postseason.
The playoffs have been a time whenn Krejci has dominated. During the 2011 and 2013 playoffs, the Bruins’ center led the league in points. In both seasons, the Bruins made it to the Stanley Cup Finals, winning it all in 2011. He continued to produce in the playoffs last season as in 24 games he had 16 points.
Playoff Krech strikes again.
On May 8, 2013, David Krejci finishes off a hat trick with an OT winner to propel the #NHLBruins to a 3-1 series lead over Toronto in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.@NESN | #BruinsEncore pic.twitter.com/Jw0TwqJ8qK
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 20, 2020
Furthermore, in his career, Krejci has shown that he can step up on the games’ biggest stage. The Czech native has the third-most points in Bruins playoff history and the second-most assists. Only Ray Bourque and Patrice Bergeron have appeared in more postseason games.
While the Bruins have one of the top lines in hockey, they will have one of their most dangerous weapons fully rested. For the Bruins to make a deep playoff run, they will need Krejci at his best.
After months of uncertainty, Krejci, like all of his teammates, is restless to get back on the ice. The Bruins were in the middle of a special campaign after falling one win short of a championship last season.
Entering the postseason, Krejci will be motivated for a variety of reasons. The veteran center will be a free agent after next season and his future in Boston beyond that is uncertain.
While the postseason is still weeks away, Krejci will be fully rested, which could prove problematic for the rest of the league.
