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No Krejci could mean no Cup 05.06.10 at 10:42 am ET
By Dan Rowinski

PHILADELPHIA — All of a sudden the Bruins are missing 89 points of production out of their lineup.

This is not a team that has all that much production to lose, let alone almost 100 points. Marco Sturm (22 goals, 15 assists) may not be seen as a huge loss for Boston, as he had not scored a goal in the playoffs and only had two strikes since March 13, but the loss of David Krejci (17 goals, 35 assists) to a reportedly broken wrist after a hit from Flyers captain Mike Richards in Game 3 is a huge blow.

Krejci was the key player to spur the Bruins to their late-season run and has been instrumental in their playoff success. It took the young Czech center a while to get going this year coming off of offseason hip surgery but he has been near the top of his game since the Olympic break, constantly creating chances around the net and showing that he has the potential to be a top-tier offensive talent in the league. He can be a joy to watch as he breaks down would-be defenders, like he did in Game 2 against the Flyers when eluding pressure on the half wall before sending the puck to the other side of the rink where Dennis Wideman and Blake Wheeler ended up assisting Miroslav Satan (who else?) on a goal.

Fact of the matter is, without Krejci, this magical playoff run the Bruins are on will probably come to and end. Center is the deepest position on the Bruins between Krejci, Patrice Bergeron, Marc Savard, Vladimir Sobotka and Steve Begin but Sobotka is not the type of guy who can step up his game to the point of coming anywhere near being able to replace Krejci. Sobotka is a high-effort guy, concerned enough with just keeping his spot on the roster, let alone turning in to an offense-first NHL centerman.

So, sans Krejci, Boston just does not have another guy like that who can extend their roster. Savard, Bergeron and Krejci are supposed to complement each other, not replace each other. If Savard could have started ramping up his production coming off a Grade 2 concussion, you would have to like the Bruins chances against anybody in the NHL with their skill down the middle. There are no forwards on the roster who, without some extraordinary breakout playoff hysterics, can pick up that production. If you look at the Bruins roster they are strong on defense (and about to get stronger if Mark Stuart can come back soon), great in goal with Tuukka Rask or even Tim Thomas (because, yes, Thomas can still be a great goaltender) and deep down center. Forward is the lacking position and [potential No. 2 overall pick] Taylor Hall would be quite a welcome addition to the team come training camp next fall.

But that does not help the Bruins right now. With or without Krejci, there is almost no way that the Flyers are going to beat Rask four straight to take the series, but the production and roster-lengthening effect of Krejci cannot be replaced. This is especially pertinent if the Bruins end up playing the Penguins who are perhaps the deepest team at center in the entire league with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal.

Either way, it is a sad day for the wily Czech. Knowing his quiet intensity, it will be difficult for him to watch his teammates continue to battle for Lord Stanley’s Cup from the press box.

UPDATED — Now with correct math.

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  • Alex

    “there is almost no way that the Flyers are going to beat Rask four out of five games to take the series”

    Actually it is impossible for the Flyers to beat Rask in four out of five games (unless this is now all of a sudden an 8 game series)

  • kam

    It is supposed to be the best of 7. They played 3. they have FIVE left.
    3+FIVE = 7. That is correct.

  • Tim

    3+FIVE = 7?
    wow

  • curt geiger

    I see that you dont have hope do you

  • Dan Rowinski

    Sorry about that guys. Was using yesterday’s math. Fixed it four you.

  • Brian

    This article is mean to the Bru Crew fans. We will win it all because of these meany head writers like you.

  • Dave

    And hockey fans wonder why the rest of us laugh at you. 3+5=7 from not only the writer but a poster. Wow.

  • Tom

    Fixed it FOUR you snould read Fixed it for you. Don’t rely on spell check it won’t reject real words used wrongly.

  • DC

    They were never going to win the cup anyway. It’s been a fun run.

  • Palmer

    Whose to say they aren’t going to win the cup? Love how every one of you guys give up on the team just like that. The Bruins have great energy and can go really far into the playoffs based on what they have right now. If you think not, then obviously you’ve been blind during the first two series’ the B’s have been in this post-season.

    I know it’s been a while, but put some FAITH in your Boston teams, FOR ONCE. Take a look at the pieces that are already in place, and say to me that this team is still not as good as the team we say halfway through the season. I’ll object to you outright.

  • MelContent

    NoCups….say it aint so. The team will do whatever it can do at this point, but the loss of both Sturm, and Krejci cannot be diminished. I have to give the coach and the team a tremendous amount of credit for playing stanley cup hockey..its that simple. The team has performed and they have been extremely exciting to watch. Very disciplined hockey, a credit to the coach, the players and to TUKKA !

  • mike

    I say bring back shawn t and kick some philly ass the next game will be very chippy to say the least.

  • Dan Rowinski

    Sorry Tom, I was trying to make a pun with “four” vs. “for.” I guess I am just not that funny.

  • Brenda

    Correction – The Penguins are without Jordan Stall for the remainder.

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