There was a time when there were no internet. Bruins considered David KrejciTheir No. 1 center, even if most metrics declared Patrice BergeronThis title is owned by the owner.
What’s old may be new again. A decade after dishing pucks to Milan LucicKrejci and Nathan Horton will be asked to continue the offensive day.
Brad Marchand, the team’s do-it-all left wing, will not be around at the start of 2022-23. This cannot help but have an offensive effect on Bergeron, the salt to Marchand’s pepper.
“It’s second nature at this point,” Bergeron said of his all-situations partnership with Marchand. “You just read and react from one another. We know where each other’s going to be on the ice pretty much all the time. It does make things easier.”
Bergeron, probably between Pavel ZachaAnd Jake DeBruskHe will continue to be required to do his job. Coach Jim Montgomery won’t hesitate to use the five-time Selke Trophy winner for defensive situations. At the same time, Montgomery will not reverse the process, started by predecessor Bruce Cassidy, of Bergeron’s transition from matchup ace to offensive firestarter.
Zone defense. Transition options. High-quality shots.
Jim Montgomery explains the system. https://t.co/Jq51ozcmI4
— Fluto Shinzawa (@FlutoShinzawa) September 12, 2022
This will mean, however, that KrejciAnd his linemates — Taylor Hall and David Pastrnak will be first up — will have to initiate instant offense. His wingmen are not able to wait.
“I felt Krech and I had a lot of chemistry,” Hall said of their 2020-21 collaboration. “Great hockey player. It’s so smart. Very good defensively. This aspect of the game is underrated. He’s a guy that’s going to help our team, help our locker room. I was so excited to meet him and go back on the ice together. He’s one of those guys that I felt was very easy to play with. He should be able to get the group moving quickly. Personally, if I’m playing with him through parts of the season, to get that chemistry back I don’t think is going to be too difficult.”
Hall might have found it easy to receive Krejci’s off-the rush forehand passes. Maybe the center’s defensive proficiency allowed the ex-Sabre to get on the attack.
The two of them had an amazing time, regardless of the reason. During the 193:13 of five-on-five time they shared upon Hall’s arrival from BuffaloThe Bruins beat their opponents by a margin of 14-1 (93.3 percent goals for share). You should also consider that Marchand and Bergeron had a smaller sample (592:48) but a 44-22 scoring advantage (66.67%).
It remains to see how Krejci (36), melds back onto the NHL interstate after spending last year on Czechia’s local roads. Hall should however be prepared for results.
He has played 97 Black-and-Gold games. He is in good health. Hall, who is introspective, knows that Marchand is not available and that he is expected take over offensive duties. This means regular five-on-5 action, and perhaps shifts on No. 1 power-play unit.
“There’s obviously a lot of opportunity for me personally,” said Hall. “There’s some players out that are marquee players for our team. There’s going to be, for guys like myself, a lot of opportunity — opportunity to lead, to play primetime spots. That’s really exciting for me. I’ve got to take advantage of that. A little bit of pressure on guys like myself to fill those spots, come into the year and be a guy that can be relied on.”
Last season, Krejci’s departure was not good for Hall. Through 26 games, the left wing only scored one five-on-5 goal. Hall’s life was made possible by Pastrnak riding with him, beginning Jan. 1.
Hall received 47 all-situations points from that point until the end of the season. Only Pastrnak (56) was better than Marchand (53) for more. Hall and Pastrnak had 62.9 percent goals for share in 616.36. Marchand and Bergeron had a 66.13% in 739.04.
Theoretically, Hall could be taken to the moon by joining forces with Pastrnak or Krejci.
“I don’t want to be too pass-happy with those guys,” Hall said. “All three of us can’t be too fancy if that’s the line where we’re playing together. A lot of speed. A lot of skill. Pasta is a skilled shooter and the man in the middle can play with everyone. That’s really exciting.”
Pastrnak can also be Takeoff is imminent. He shares his own history of Hall and Krejci, though some of that occurred at the 2022 World Championship.
David Pastrnak’s priority was a normal summer. It was not an extension. https://t.co/TzKLxUT5OC
— Fluto Shinzawa (@FlutoShinzawa) September 17, 2022
The truth of the right wing’s style, though, is that he can score with anyone. Pastrnak is a skilled one-on-1 attacker. Pastrnak will pursue tight pucks and is not afraid to do so. He is a multi-dimensional threat.
“It’s always just a matter of if I stay healthy,” said Pastrnak. “I know what I can do in this league when I’m 100 percent healthy. That’s just my biggest focus. Injuries are part the game. Healthy and happy, it was a great summer. Hopefully that will stick the whole season.”
Krejci was playing five-on-five against the Bruins in 2020-21. In 60 minutes, opponents scored 0.96 goals. It was Krejci’s lowest GA/60 rate of his career. Bergeron’s career best was 1.02 GA/60 in 2012-13.
The Hall-Krejci/Pastrnaks will not be focusing on keeping pucks out the net. They will be primarily responsible for scoring.
This sounds like the job for a No. 1 line.
(Top photo of David Krejci, Taylor Hall: Philip G. Pavely/USA Today
