Krejci's Big Day Spurs on Bruins in Rout of Flyers

BOSTON - David Krejci has not made a habit of wearing his emotions on his sleeve.
The 36-year-old centerman is known for his cerebral and unassuming style, two attributes that have served him quite well during his 16-year career with the Black & Gold.
And while those two traits remained apparent as he spoke with the assembled media on Monday afternoon, the emotion in his voice and the way in which he struggled to find the right words made it clear: his 1,000th career game was one he won't soon forget.

"It's an easy question, but kind of hard to answer," Krejci, who tallied three assists and finished plus-4 in Boston's 6-0 rout of the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden, said when asked to describe what the milestone meant to him.
"I was, obviously, thinking about this game recently a lot. I don't know, it's obviously a big accomplishment playing for one franchise for an organization like this. I'm really, really proud of myself to be able to do that. Right now, I don't feel much, you know?
"It's obviously a great feeling that 1,000th game and the win. I feel like this is one of those milestones that you're gonna appreciate once you're done. You look back and you can appreciate it a little more."

There was plenty of appreciation happening on Monday, however, as Krejci's teammates and the Black & Gold faithful who filled TD Garden showered the long-time pivot with admiration throughout the afternoon. Just seconds after wrapping up the game's opening shift, Krejci was acknowledged by PA announcer Jake Zimmer, leading to a rousing standing ovation from the Bruins faithful.
"I haven't seen him so happy for a while, so that was awesome," said fellow Czech native and current linemate David Pastrnak. "We don't see him smile…but no, I'm just kidding. Obviously, he enjoyed it and I'm happy he had fun tonight. He deserved it."
And for that, the Bruins wanted to make sure they made it as memorable an afternoon as they could for the man who became the seventh player in club history to suit up in 1,000 games for the 99-year-old franchise.
"No question his 1,000th game [helped]," coach Jim Montgomery said when asked how much Krejci's milestone spurred on the Bruins. "I think a lot of players have so much respect for him. And rightfully so. He's a Bruins legend - and he showed why tonight. Makes everyone around him better."
Krejci certainly did that on Monday afternoon. The centerman was on the ice for five of Boston's six goals, picking up assists on three of the B's first four tallies of the afternoon. Boston's Czech trio of Krejci, Pastrnak, and Pavel Zacha combined for four goals and five assists as all three recorded three-point afternoons.
"It was very special. Obviously, kind of a similar thing that we went through with Bergy, it's two guys who have accomplished a lot in this organization," said Pastrnak, referring to Patrice Bergeron's 1,000-point milestone earlier this season. "It's a special game for Krecho and we want to get a win and wanted him to fully enjoy it. Obviously, it's a very special night for the whole group."
Per NHL Stats, Krejci became the fifth player in NHL history to collect at least three assists in his 1,000th career game and ninth to pick up at least three points. B's legend Johnny Bucyk (2-4-6, 1970) and the Rangers' Theo Fleury (1-3-4, 2002) are the only two to notch more than three points in their 1,000th game.
"I was mad, I really wanted him to score, but you know that's Krecho," Pastrnak said with a chuckle. "He loves to pass, and I get it. The kind of player he is, it makes him happier when he can set up players to score goals. How I said, there's not many kinds of players that are a playmaker like he is, so for me it's a huge honor to be his teammate and to become such a good friend with him and he's been with me since Day 1."

While they have not always played on the same line during their time in Black & Gold, Krejci and Pastrnak have always had immeasurable chemistry. The duo has often skated together for Czechia during international tournaments over the years, before being paired by Montgomery on the B's second line for much of Krejci's return season.
"It's easier if you know each other as a player, right?" said Pastrnak, who had two goals and an assist on Monday afternoon. "We've played sometimes together already, so we know what to expect from each other. Same thing with Bergy and [Brad Marchand] - when you play with some players for a while, you know what to do and where to go. And with Krecho, we have such a special chemistry, we don't even need to talk to each other."
That special rapport also translates off the ice where the two have developed an incredibly tight bond, as Pastrnak credited Krejci with helping him "grow as a human" as he made the transition to North America nearly a decade ago.
"He's like my big brother, right? He's 10 years older than me, but at the same time one of the closest friends I've got," said Pastrnak. "At first, I was idolizing him. As a kid I came into the league young and learning from him every day and now we are one of the closest friends. It's very special and I'm very happy for him and, overall, happy that I've found a friendship with him.
"Obviously, he's an unbelievable player. He's accomplished a lot in this organization, so he deserves the recognition."
Both Pastrnak and Zacha also spoke to how influential Krejci has been not just on their careers but on hockey back in Czechia, particularly when it comes to inspiring young hockey players with dreams of someday following in his footsteps.
"I mean, I was idolizing him growing up," said Pastrnak. "So, the little kids recognize the player he is and every time he would come and play for the National Team or even in the playoffs, we know what he can do and he's the kind of player where there isn't many like that with the way he thinks of the game and his hockey IQ.
"I think that's what a lot of kids see in him and there is a lot of kids back home that are still looking up to him."
"He's a legend back home. Everyone knows who he is," added Zacha, who said that the afternoon game in Boston allowed many back in Czechia, his parents included, the chance to watch and celebrate Krejci's milestone game. "And I think with his 1000th game here with one team, he became a legend here, too, which is nice. I'm happy that another countryman reached that 1,000-game mark."

Krejci said that after the game he "had lots of messages and people talking about this game," helping him to realize how much so many others appreciated what he'd accomplished. When he returned to the dressing room after being named the game's No. 1 star, he was also feted by his teammates as they swarmed him in celebration.
"When you hit a milestone there's a speech you gotta do after and I was planning on, obviously, saying something the last few days leading up to this game," said Krejci, who also led the team out for warmups ahead of Jeremy Swayman. "It just kinds of hits you in the moment you don't expect it. It was a pretty special moment. The guys came up and did their thing and I'll never forget it. It was pretty special, but my speech, I forgot everything I wanted to say."
Krejci, however, did not forget to say how much he is enjoying his comeback season, one that has included a historic first half and already a bevy of memorable moments.
"[Boston's] been my home. I'm very thankful and grateful that they gave me a call in the summer to come back," said Krejci. "Obviously there were some expectations, but I'm just glad the way the team's playing. Obviously, the record speaks for itself. I feel like this is a special year.
"It helps when the team's doing well - you come early to the rink, a smile on your face, and you're enjoying every moment because you don't know how long it's gonna last for…I'm gonna remember this night, once I'm done, for a long time. Getting the win, the way we did, 6-0 - a pretty special moment."
For a pretty special player.