He could have been the one with two goals, perhaps searching for the hat trick in the third period, to cap off his special day.
But then, that's not who David Krejci has been. That's not his way.
For as long as Krejci has been a member of the Bruins, dating back some 16 seasons now, Krejci has been understated, a supporting player. While others pile up the goals, Krejci is content with banking assists. As good as he's been -- having scored 764 points and twice led the league in plus-minus -- Krejci has always been the second-best center on his team, the guy just out of the spotlight.
So it was perfectly fitting that on the day in which he played his 1000th career game with the Bruins -- something only six other Bruins have done and something only two others have done without playing for another NHL team -- that Krejci wasn't the player with the multi-goal games. No, those honors went to his two linemates for the afternoon -- David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha.
But also fittingly, on the four goals potted by his linemates, Krejci had the helper on three of them.
With Krejci, it's never been about being the star. It's always been about contributing to the team. And Monday afternoon, that was never more obvious.
"He's a Bruins legend,'' stated coach Jim Montgomery after the Bruins dusted the Philadelphia Flyers, 6-0, "and he showed why today. He makes everyone around him better. He's a pass-first player and he's elite at it.''
Only seven or so months ago, of course, there was no guarantee that Krejci would be back with the Bruins. He spent last year playing in his native Czech Republic, wanting his kids to spend time in his native country and watch their Dad play. There was speculation that he might return for the fall, but that didn't happen officially until early August, just a month before the start of training camp.
When he returned, it was like he'd never left. He immediately claimed a leadership role in the dressing room and resumed his level of play -- deftly setting up wingers and contributing his usual 200-foot game.
Before Monday's game, Montgomery was asked what his reaction to the news that Krejci would be returning. He joked: "I'm (immediately) a better coach.''
But more seriously, Krejci's return and the best first half of any Bruins' season in history was not unrelated.
"I think the only reason we're an elite team in the league is because he came back,'' said Montgomery, before correctly himself slightly. "Not the only reason, but a huge factor in that. He gives us the opportunity to have great depth.''
Montgomery, who shuffles his line combinations without much regard for ego or feelings, said that Krejci can play with anybody and does so without complaint. But there was a time, not long ago, that Bruins management seemed to take that maxim too literally, giving Krejci linemates who were nowhere near as skilled as their center, and unable to take advantage of his feathery passes or deft playmaking.
That's improved in recent years, with the likes of Taylor Hall and Pastrnak riding shotgun with Krejci. Finally, he has wingers who are worthy of his considerable talent. That, as much as anything, explains the Bruins' success, especially this year. For a change, the Bruins have some balance in their attack and if opponents succeed in shutting down the top line and the duo of Bergeron and Brad Marchand, they still have to contend with the Krejci line.
Pastrnak, a fellow proud son of Eastern Europe, said he owes much of his career success to Krejci, who, from the beginning, played the role of mentor -- on and off the ice.
"He's like my big brother, you know,'' said Pastrnak. "But at the same time, he's one of my closest friends I've got. At first, I idolized him, coming into the league young and learning from him every day. And now we're the closest of friends. He helped me grow as a human -- on the ice, he helped me out as a player. But he helped me so much (off the ice, too). There's not many like him, the way he sees the game.''
Pastrnak had a shot at his second hat trick in the last nine days, but would have preferred Krejci get a goal for himself in the third. But he acknowledged that it was more appropriate that the center was the man setting up his teammates, time and time again.
"That's Krech,'' said Pastrnak with a shrug. "He's happier when he can set up players.''
After the first stoppage of play in the first period, the Bruins saluted Krejci over the PA system, noting his historic achievement. Ever modest, Krejci acknowledged the standing ovation by lifting his arm in salute to the crowd, while bashfully looking down on the Boston bench.
"It's obviously a great feeling, the 1000th game and a win,'' said Krejci, "but I'll probably appreciate it more when I look back (in the future) and enjoy it more then.''
For now, Krejci is living in the present, piling up the points and, as always, focused more on others than himself.