BOSTON — David Krejci made his much-anticipated return to the Bruins lineup in Thursday night’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks after missing the previous 15 games with a partially torn left MCL suffered on Feb. 20.
The veteran forward played on the wing for the first time all season and also received ice time at the left point on the first power-play unit. Krejci finished with zero shots and assists on both of Boston’s power-play goals in 19:45 of ice time. He now has 28 points (seven goals, 21 assists) in 39 games this season, including a 2.42 points per 60 minutes scoring rate (third-best among B’s forwards).
Overall, Krejci said he felt “pretty good” in his first game back.
“It always happens when I miss a bunch of games, when you come back you’re a little bit more careful,” Krejci said. “But as the game went along I felt better and better. Hopefully the next game all I’m gonna think about is the game and not gonna worry too much about other things.”
Krejci has played at center for nearly his entire career, including his time spent in the QMJHL, AHL and NHL. That said, his performance on the wing Thursday was encouraging. Krejci’s line, which included Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, played the majority of their even-strength shifts against one of the league’s best first lines (Jiri Sekac-Ryan Getzlaf-Corey Perry) and kept it scoreless until the final minute of regulation.
“I enjoyed it, there’s things I still have to work on as a winger,” Krejci said. “It’s a little different, but I thought I had a decent game. I know I can do much more, but you know what? That’s why we’re gonna have a good practice (Friday), we’re gonna work on some things that I thought today that I need to work on. Hopefully be better on Saturday.”
Krejci has missed 35 games because of injuries this season, the most in any one campaign of his NHL career. It’s been a frustrating year, but there’s still a chance for a positive ending to the regular season if the Bruins bring the same effort from Thursday’s game to their remaining matchups.
“Tough. But I’ve gotta stick with it, stay positive, believe in myself, believe in this group that we can do it,” Krejci said. “That’s all I can control.”
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
