Bruins’ Krejci not concerned about extra physicality from Flyers
Krejci/By S. Bradley
PHILADELPHIA — If the Flyers’ strategy tonight in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Bruins includes roughing up Boston center David Krejci, he’s ready.
And he seems to think Philadelphia would be playing right into the Bruins’ hands.
“They tried the last game, even the last game of the regular season. But they can do whatever they want,” said Krejci, who led the Bruins to a 7-3 Game 1 win Saturday, after today’s morning skate at the Wells Fargo Center. “If they want to play more physical, that means that’s going to open more room for other guys on the ice. So I’m going to try to take advantage of that.”
Krejci can talk tough because most of the time he’ll be on the ice in between 6-foot-4, 220-pound Milan Lucic and 6-2, 229-pound Nathan Horton.
“That’s for sure. But if they want to take a run at me, it’s going to open up other positions and it’s going to open up more space for [Lucic and Horton]. So hopefully we could take advantage of it,” said Krejci.
Krejci burned the Flyers for two goals and two assists in Game 1. So Philadelphia is going to have to figure out some way to slow him down once the puck drops tonight at 7:30 p.m.
The series is far from wrapped up. If we use that mentality, then a repeat of last year’s semis is all but assured. I think they’re talking about that series in the locker room quite a bit. I doubt there will be much of a letdown if they keep this up.
Also, Lucic might need to step his game up, but I’m pretty sure Horton has a goal and an assist in game 1, as well as 2 OT winners and a GTG in the Montreal series. I would say Horton is there. Sides, Boychuck, and McQuaid are all looking fine/ making good plays. I’m a little worried about our now invisible 3rd line. Given they aren’t screwing up, but really not producing any noticeable chances the past few games. Hopefully they’re just saving it for the return salvo.
….oops, meant Horton…
Krejci’s absolutely right. His line doesn’t have to change a thing in game 2. The pressure is on the flyers to make adjustments. Hopefully, he’ll see those adjustments and Lucic and Thorton will be able to capitalize on them.
The B’s are in it to win it. If they see a big hit available then they should take it, but otherwise they should just play their game and wrap this series up. The B’s are usually unsuccessful when they only focus on hitting and get away from playing their game.
I see both sides here, McQuaid has lost a little of the physical play but I think it was because of the Canadiens style…and he lit up Coburn in the first game – very similar to Boychuk’s last year on Matt Ellis although not as dramatic
CJ and company dramatically out coached Laviolette and his crew. Whether or not that carries over tonight,…we’ll just have to see. How could the flyer goalie situation not be in the heads of their skaters? I expect a close game tonight but you never know.
Tom, McQuaid flattened Coburn (the best hit of the game)in game 1. That hit took away any oomph the flyers may have had for the rest of the game.
It’s time for Lucic and Horton to step up for their linemate. Boychuk and Seidenberg needs to do the same thing. McQuaid seems to have lost some of his physical edge too, maybe everyone is playing to avoid penalties. I guess I understand, but you can’t let the Flyers take cheap shots at your players (See Carcilla on Ryder, Giroux on Krejci, etc).
the more physical this series the more of an advantage to the Bruins – Giroux, Brieire, Versteeg, JVR – plenty of targets there
I can remember during the Play Seguin days that many were pointing to Krecji and saying – he’s not physical, why is everyone demanding that Seguin be?
Couldn’t be further from the truth. DK is small, but he is an absolute battler – and he’s not afraid of nuttin’.
Seguin would do himself a service to watch film of DK and how he uses his small frame to physically accomplish so much.
I said it before this series started & I’ll say it again, ‘The Bruins will not be intimidated by Philly’s physical play. That being said Bruins definately need to keep there heads up with cheap shot artists like Richards & Pronger on the ice but in my opinion if this series takes that kind of a turn then the Bruins need to employ an eye for an eye mantality. If the Flyers start taking runs at Krejci then start doing the same to Briere. Philly will employ cheap shot tactics in this series, we already seen it a bit in game one but in my opinion Boston would be well advised to fight fire with fire. Versteeg should be targeted the first time he dives on Thomas like he did in game one about 4 times, Briere is another who is famous for this sort of thing, make them pay a physical price when they bang Thomas every time.