Krug returned to Blues lineup, welcomed back to Boston on birthday

BOSTON -- The Boston Bruins welcomed a familiar face to TD Garden in Tuesday's 4-2 loss against the St. Louis Blues.

On his 31st birthday, Torey Krug returned to the lineup after missing 10 games with an upper-body injury in time to face the Bruins for the first time as a member of the Blues. He played nine seasons with Boston before signing with St. Louis as a free agent on Oct. 9, 2020.
"It was fun. Obviously a lot of different emotions throughout the day," Krug said. "It's been a while since I've been back here in the building. It was capped off pretty nicely with a win for us. So, a good game overall."
The Bruins played a video tribute for Krug, which was met with a standing ovation from the fans.
Following the highlight package at 6:38 of the first period, the defenseman raised his stick in salute of the crowd, while he skated a loop in front of the Blues' bench.
"It was special," Krug said. "A lot of great memories here, and met a lot of great people. For me, coming back -- I didn't really know what to expect and how I'd feel… The tribute was great. I love these fans, and I loved playing in front of them. So it meant a lot to me."
Krug was greeted by "Welcome Home Torey" signs and posters wishing him a happy birthday during warmups, as well as numerous fans sporting his No. 47 Bruins and Blues jerseys before receiving a cheer when he was announced in the starting lineup.

Krug tied the game on the power play in the second period to spur the Blues' comeback. He also added an assist in 14:04 of ice time.
"That was a big moment for us," he said. "Just instinct play and was able to jump on a puck and make a move and to be honest, it's tough to recollect that one. I'm sure I'll watch it a couple times and enjoy it."

He signed with Boston as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State University on March 15, 2012. In 523 games with the Bruins, Krug had 337 points (68 goals and 269 assists), which are the fifth most among defensemen in Bruins franchise history.
"At first it was weird to see him in that uniform, but I'm getting more used to it now," Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo, who was Krug's defensive partner in Boston, said Tuesday morning. "I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to play with him. I felt I grew a lot within those years of having him as my partner. It's something I'll always look back on and be thankful for."
Krug appeared in two Stanley Cup Finals with Boston in 2013 against the Chicago Blackhawks and in 2019 against the Blues. In 75 playoff contests with the Bruins, Krug had 52 points (11 goals and 41 assists). He is also the all-time points leader by an American-born skater in franchise history.