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Bruins new look second line continues to produce secondary scoring

April 18, 2021, 8:26 PM ET [33 Comments]
Anthony Travalgia
Boston Bruins Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Bruins know if they want to eventually get to where they want to be, they’re likely going to have to get through the Washington Capitals first.

That’s why Sunday’s contest at TD Garden between the two felt a little like playoff hockey.

With it came playoff David Krejci

“It’s the type of game he’s played since I’ve known him. Slowing the play down, slowing the game down—not everyone can do that,” said Patrice Bergeron. “Some guys can have some patience, but to be able to slow it down in the fast paced game we’re playing in this day and age, it’s pretty impressive.”

It’s been the usual, consistent season for Krejci, continuing with his revolving door of wingers. But with the emergence of the red-hot Craig Smith and the trade for Taylor Hall, the Bruins revamped second line has brought out the best in Krejci, much like playoff hockey has done in the past.

“Bringing office, the Krejci goal, the Smitty play to Clifton and back to the front of the net again, we needed that,” said head coach Bruce Cassidy. “The big boys came to play today on both lines and we’re dangerous when that happens.”

In the four games since the trade deadline, Krejci has three goals and two assists, with two of those coming in Sunday’s 6-3 victory over the Washington Capitals.



With points in five of six before the deadline, Smith was providing the second line with a spark, one kept alive by Krejci in the middle.

But Hall has made an immediate impact on the line.

“Before the trade deadline, it’s never fun. After that, we’re here, this is the team. Now we’re just playing, we’re going out there and trusting the system. We go out and we play,” said Krejci.

I like to believe I can help and he (Hall) can help me—but don’t forget about [Smith], he’s playing very well, he’s doing the dirty work and giving us the pucks in the good area. Obviously we’re clicking, we got to keep it rolling.”

In the 38:07 of five-on-five ice time Hall, Krejci and Smith have skated together, the Bruins have the advantage in:

Shot attempts: 42-35
Shots on goal: 25:14
Scoring chances: 23-19
High-danger scoring chances: 10-6
Goals: 4-1


While Krejci and Smith were rolling pretty well together, it’s clear Hall was the missing piece to Krejci’s puzzle.

“Obviously to get a player like that is pretty exciting and for me, to have a player like that on the line has been pretty good so far,” said Krejci. “We know there’s some stuff we can be better at. It’s tough with the schedule we have to get some practices, build chemistry. We’ve got to communicate some more, look at videos, stuff like that and go from there.”

Even when Smith comes back to earth and cools down from the insane run he’s on, the addition of Hall and the chemistry the three are building will give the Bruins a second dangerous scoring line behind the Patrice Bergeron line.

Krejci’s two goals Sunday were a prime example of that with Smith picking up a pair of assists and Hall, assisting on Krejci’s second of the afternoon.

Krejci’s second goal was an act of patience, and in a situation you would expect him to pass as Jake DeBrusk was open back door, Krejci stuck with it and buried the opportunity on his own.



“Amazing patience, something we’ve gotten accustomed to and he’s an amazing player,” said Bergeron. “We’re not surprised and we’re happy to have him.”

The Bruins have won all four games since the trade deadline came and went, it’s helped the Bruins gain some ground on the teams ahead of them, separating themselves from the ones behind them in the process.

Currently sitting fourth in the east division, the final of four playoff spots, the Bruins (56 points) trail the Capitals by six points, Penguins by three and the Islanders by two.

They have three games in hand on the Capitals, two on the Penguins and one on the Islanders entering Sunday night.

“I don’t think we’re looking too much into the standings. Obviously we know where we’re at, but we don’t really talk about it,” said Krejci. “We just want to play the way we’re supposed to and I think last four wins that’s the way we want to play and those wins were against pretty good teams.”

Four points separate the Bruins and fifth place Rangers, however, the Bruins have four games in hand.
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