Boston Bruins: David Krejci stepped up with Bergeron out

With Patrice Bergeron injured and out, second line center David Krejci stepped up for the Boston Bruins in the season opener.

No Patrice Bergeron? No problem in game 1 for the Boston Bruins.

Bergeron is out, and no one knows for how long, but David Krejci stepped up as the veteran leader for Boston in the team’s season-opening win on Thursday night. Krejci, anchoring the second line between Jake DeBrusk and David Pastrnak, had an extremely strong night.

On the night, Krejci had three total assists on Boston’s four goals. He also totaled 21:29 in ice time, including 3:33 on the Bruins powerplay. Last season, Krejci had 31 assists all season long, and Boston would love for him to get back up above 40 once again. This game will help him to get there.

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Krejci’s three assists came on Pastrnak’s goal in the 1st period, and Jake DeBrusk’s and Charle McAvoy’s in the 2nd. The veteran was also huge in the faceoff circle, winning 77% of his chances. The play from Krejci is making his linemates, and all of his teammates a lot better. He has the ability to create plays, find the open man, and make a difference. With DeBrusk and Pastrnak likely cemented as his linemates for the season, Boston could have found something special. The three seem to play extremely well together, and they could become the Bruins top scoring line. All three players have the ability to score on any given play.

Boston will continue to rely on players like David Krejci and Brad Marchand with both Bergeron and David Backes out. Although the young players seem to be on track and ready to contribute, the load will still have to be carried by the veterans, and it’s more than just on-ice performance.

Next: Young guys lead Bruins to Opening Night win

Krejci and Marchand, along with Zdeno Chara, can be leaders off the ice as well. A lot of players on this Bruins roster are young and new to the NHL. The leadership provided to them will help this team in the long run and could be the difference as we get later into the season and into the playoffs.