David Krejci’s efforts to improve 200-foot game providing stability on often-shuffled second line

At this point, in his 12th full NHL campaign with the Bruins, David Krejci isn’t looking to change the way he operates out on the ice. Well, at least in the offensive zone.

Still a gifted playmaker with the puck on his stick, Krejci is on pace to tally his first 60-plus point campaign since the 2015 season — despite playing for most of this year without a set top-six winger to his right on the second line.

A bump up to the top line during Patrice Bergeron’s absence certainly helped the 32-year-old pivot when it comes to stringing together some strong outings from a scoring perspective — including a stretch of 11 points in eight games ahead of No. 37’s return on Dec. 22.

But when the time came to promote Krejci up with a uber-talented duo in Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, Cassidy did note that there was some initial trepidation. For as much as Krejci would produce with two skilled wingers to work with, would that line be susceptible down the other end of the ice?



Obviously, few can replicate what Bergeron can bring to the club when healthy — with the four-time Selke Trophy winner allowing both Marchand and Pastrnak to operate freely in the offensive zone while putting out fires on the back end.

Now, that’s not to say that Krejci is a liability in Boston’s zone, with the veteran posting a career 52.96 5v5 Corsi-For Percentage and 57.13 Goals-For Percentage. But a dip had to be expected with Bergeron out the lineup, right?

“When he was with Pasta and March, we were worried it would be trading chances,” Cassidy said. “Bergy’s a Selke winner and Krech is a real good defensive player, but we didn’t know how it would work out.”

But during 121 minutes of 5v5 TOI together, the Marchand-Krejci-Pastrnak line kept opposing chances at a minimum — relinquishing just three goals (while scoring nine) while posting a Corsi-For of 58.33.

While that trio’s goals against per-60-minutes levels out at 1.48 — a top line with Bergeron in the middle had a GA/60 of 3.01. Now that’s not to say that Bergeron has lost a step in the slightest with his two-way game. Rather, it’s a more of a sign of Krejci’s improved play in all facets of his game, especially on the backcheck and in Boston’s own zone.

“He’s been one of our better (defensive forwards),” Cassidy said of Krejci. “We chart chances, obviously for and against – and Krech has done a real good job this year, defensively. And he did a great job. He’s really bought into it, and I think he’s pulled Jake (DeBrusk) along there and hopefully, now it’s (David Backes). We’ve used different guys, so I think this year’s he made, I don’t want to say more of a commitment because I think that would be disrespectful to the past, but he’s certainly committed to playing a full 200-foot game and relishing that. He’s put a lot more value in the defensive part of the game, and it shows. Like I said, he’s been rock solid.”

While DeBrusk has built a reputation in his young NHL career as a tenacious player with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone, the winger has also made strides away from the biscuit — ranking fourth on the club with a High-Danger Chances For Percentage of 56.92.

Obviously, playing alongside a puck-possession center like Krejci certainly will allow your line to limit opposing chances, but DeBrusk was quick to point out the little things in Krejci’s game that he’s picked up in both the neutral zone and around Boston’s net.

"Coming in as rookie last year for me, it was a matter of trying to find my game and trying to stay in the league. And you can’t do that without a good centerman,” DeBrusk said. “Obviously, when people think about David Krejci, they think about offensive plays or he slows down the game and his playmaking abilities. But one of the biggest reasons why I consider myself a better two-way forward this year is because of him.

“I try to take notes from him and understand how he closes in the D zone and just how he reads plays. He switches so well in the defensive zone, So it’s just a matter of understanding him as a player and what he brings. He does bring that side of the game."

Even in the offensive zone, Krejci’s ability to switch and provide extra support for his defensemen has been easy to spot.

In the closing minutes of Saturday’s 2-1 win over the Sabres, Krejci provided an extra layer for his club while Torey Krug activated and attempted a shot from in close against Linus Ullmark. When Krug’s attempt was stopped and the rebound coasted back out to a Buffalo skater, the Sabres attempted a counter-rush, but Krejci was in good position on the blue line, accounting for Johan Larsson in the slot and preventing him for getting a good look on net against Tuukka Rask.



It’s been a bit of an adventure for Krejci this year in terms of linemates, with the center in the middle of nine different line combinations (not including the 63-46-88 trio) that have logged over 10 minutes of 5v5 ice time this year.

It remains to be seen if Backes will stick with that top-six group as the year progresses, but for now, Krejci’s improved 200-foot-game is at least giving Cassidy another safety net as he continues to tinker with his roster.