David Krejci skated 15:22 of ice time in the Bruins' 4-3 overtime loss to Nashville on Saturday, the least amount of time he played in the past eight games.
The Bruins center, who has averaged 17:37 of ice time per night this season, would've played more against the Predators had coach Bruce Cassidy not benched the alternate captain for overtime.
After that game, the only reason Cassidy would give for the benching was that the Bruins "went with six other guys." Then Cassidy explained Sunday that usually the Bruins use eight forwards, they cut back to six (Jake DeBrusk also didn't play) against Nashville, and since Boston lost it'd have to "revisit" that decision.
If Cassidy was sending a message, Krejci received it. And he plans to make sure that revisiting of the situation involves him the next time the Bruins play past regulation.
"Well, I'm pretty critical of myself," Krejci said after the morning skate Monday. "I don't need anybody else to tell me if you play bad, you play good, you need to pick up your game. I know when the time is and I don't need anyone to tell me. You know I know it so I know I've got to be better. Other guys played better than me last game, so I get that. I've just got to put coach in a position to not put me [on the bench>. I want to play well, I want to make it easier on him."
Krejci had one shot on net and no points against Nashville, but the 33-year-old had one goal and two assists total in the Bruins' prior three games. He's one of the most prolific offensive players in franchise history.
Asked what his initial reaction was to not getting off the bench in overtime, Krejci wouldn't characterize his feelings.
"As a player we are all competitive, I wanted to be out there. I felt I didn't play well the first two periods, but I felt as a line we had a little more jump in the third, had a couple of scoring chances," he said. "Obviously as a competitor you want to be out there, so I wanted to be out there. But I obviously respect coach's decision, and I just try to play better to give me a reason to put me out there next time."
Wagner sitting
Chris Wagner will be scratched against Washington on Monday, with Joakim Nordstrom getting back into the lineup. Meanwhile, John Moore will replace Zdeno Chara, who had a follow-up procedure on his jaw Monday. Moore will start out paired with Charlie McAvoy. … Tuukka Rask will start looking to help the Bruins beat the Capitals, who are 16-1-0 in their last 17 meetings with Boston.
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