Monday was a day to celebrate David Krejci, and not just because of his longevity. Sure, longevity is at the core of any player reaching 1,000 games played for one team, which Krejci became the seventh player in Bruins history to do.
But Krejci has had that longevity because of what he brings to the Bruins, and what he brings to the Bruins -- his vision and playmaking, in particular -- was on full display in Monday's 6-0 blowout win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Shortly after Krejci's milestone was honored with a standing ovation from a sold-out TD Garden crowd during the game's first stoppage, the 36-year-old center helped give fans a goal to cheer about.
After David Pastrnak forced a turnover inside the Flyers' blue line, Krejci collected the loose puck and surveyed his options. Showing off the patience and deft touch we've seen from him so many times over the years, Krejci floated a pass into space that settled perfectly for a charging Pavel Zacha, who then zipped a pass to Pastrnak on the doorstep for the tap-in.
Later in the first period, Krejci would add a second assist. Leading the rush into the offensive zone, Krejci again slowed things down and waited for the passing lane he wanted to open up. Then he dished to Zacha once again, and this time Zacha -- who had reason to celebrate himself after signing a four-year extension on Saturday -- ripped a one-timer into the top corner.
Krejci added a third assist early in the second period -- fittingly, 46 seconds after Brad Marchand had made it 3-0. Krejci first showed off some of his often-underrated defense, picking off a Flyers pass in the neutral zone. Then he again led the rush into the offensive zone, again dished over to Zacha, and then drove hard to the net, where Zacha tried to get the puck back to him. Instead, it deflected off a Flyer and in for Zacha's second goal and Krejci's third assist.
None of Krejci's three assists were flashy, highlight-reel plays, but they were great examples of the kind of playmaking that he has made look far easier than it really is for his entire career. They were the kind of plays that have allowed Krejci to remain effective even as he -- never the fastest skater even in his youth -- has gotten older in a league that keeps getting faster.
"There's always room for players who can slow it down and make plays east-west at a high level like he can," Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said of Krejci on Saturday.
"He's not overly flashy with the way he does things," Marchand said recently, as transcribed by the Bruins' website. "He's not the fastest guy or the hardest shot. His ability to slow plays down and make it look so easy out there is incredible. He's so consistent. I think that's what you look for in a really good NHL player is the consistency every night. He has that every night. He always shows up and he always comes to play. We've been very fortunate to have him and Bergy as our 1-2 centers for the last 15 years."
They sure have. Krejci's accomplishments are well documented. He led the NHL in postseason scoring during both the Bruins' 2011 Stanley Cup-winning campaign and during their 2013 run to another Cup Final. He centered the Bruins' top line when he had Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton on his wings (and then Lucic and Jarome Iginla). He continued to produce even as Patrice Bergeron's line eventually emerged as the top line and Krejci found himself with a rotating cast of wingers that too often didn't include legitimate second-liners. He's ninth in Bruins history in points and sixth in assists; third in playoff points and second in playoff assists.
"I was obviously thinking about this game recently a lot," Krejci acknowledged after the game. "It's obviously a big accomplishment playing for one franchise, for an organization like this. I'm really proud of myself to be able to do that."
After a year playing back home in Czechia, Krejci's options this summer were either to stay there or to return to the Bruins. He never had any interest in returning to the NHL to play for another team. He wants to win one more Cup, with the Bruins, and he was willing to take a way-below-market deal to help them achieve that goal. They certainly look like a team that will have a chance to do it.
"It's been my home. I'm very thankful and grateful that they me a call in the summer to come back," Krejci said Monday. "Obviously there are some expectations, but I'm just glad with the way the team is playing. The record speaks for itself. I feel this could be a special year. … We know what we have in this room, we don't take it for granted, and we'll see how it goes. But I like the mentality of this team to stay in the moment, take it game-by-game. Practices have been good. Obviously the coaching change helped a lot. We're obviously feeling good."
Krejci may have taken a little while to get fully back up to NHL speed, but he appears to be getting there now. Monday was his second three-point game in the last four games, and he's now up to 34 points (11 goals, 23 assists) in 38 games. He's been the clear upgrade in the second-line center spot that the Bruins needed.
"The depth he adds to our group is incredible, and just his experience -- he's so calm all the time, always having a lot of fun," Marchand said. "You can see how much he enjoys being back, how much fun he's having. It's really special to have him back here for another run. Hopefully we can make the most of it."
Some of that fun, which often comes in the form of dry humor, was captured by "Behind the B" recently. After scoring in Anaheim with a nice one-time roof job in close, Montgomery leaned over to Krejci on the bench and said he didn't know Krejci had that shot in his tool kit.
"I can do anything," Krejci responded with his usual deadpan delivery.
When Krejci's playing the way he did Monday and the way he has so often throughout his 1,000 games, you kind of believe it.
