David Krejci
#46 / Center
Height: 6’0” | Weight: 188 | Born: April 28, 1986
Birthplace: Sternberk, Czechoslovakia | Acquired: Drafted 2nd round (63rd overall) by Boston in 2004
Assets: Has excellent vision and passing skills, and profiles as a classic playmaking center. His head is always in the game and he possesses great hockey sense and two-way instincts. Is a good face-off man and great on special teams.
Flaws: Can get pushed around in the corners and prone to big hits against him. Is not great at scoring goals himself. Disappears at times and can wear down with overuse. Injuries are also a factor here.
Career Potential: Quality, veteran playmaker and two-way center.
(Via TSN)
Why You Should Know Who He Is: The three members of Boston’s so-called “Perfection Line” lead the team in scoring this season, but right behind them? David Krejci. Krejci has been centering Boston’s second line this season, which has seen quite a resurgence after the addition of Taylor Hall at the deadline. The trio of Hall, Krejci, and Craig Smith has been absolutely buzzing since the deadline, acting more like a 1B line rather than a second line. Krejci in particular has really turned on the offensive jets since April 13, scoring at a 1.2 points-per-game pace with six goals and 12 assists. While it took him a little time to get started this season, he seems like an unstoppable force on the ice right now. He is an elite playmaker with the potential to orchestrate some truly spectacular on-ice sequences. With Hall and Smith on his wing, he could do some serious damage in a seven-game series. Krejci is also an excellent faceoff man, winning 54.2% of his draws on the season, and is a vital member of Boston’s second power play unit.
How the Caps Can Stop Him: By hockey standards, Krejci is on the smaller side. The Capitals, of course, are known for their big, physical style of play, which can work to their advantage when Krejci is on the ice. He has a tendency to turn the puck over when he gets overwhelmed or out-maneuvered. He is also not the fastest guy out there, so even if he gets a play going down the ice the Caps will have a decent chance of out-skating him to put a stop to any rush he creates. It will also be important to keep an eye on Hall and Smith (or whatever wingers are out there on the ice with him), because if his teammates are open, Krejci will find a way to get the puck to them. Stifling his wingers is a good way to stifle him as well.