For David Krejci’s 1000th NHL game, the Bruins gave themselves a 6-0 domination of the Philadelphia Flyers in a matchup presented Monday afternoon as part of Martin Luther King Day in the USA.
Krejci, who played in all of those NHL games as a Bruins, had three assists in the win.
David Pastrnak continued his excellent season by adding two goals and an assist to his tally. He came within two goals of first in the NHL held by Connor McDavid, who has already scored 37 times since the start of the season.
His two goals helped the Bruins win a sixth game in their last seven meetings. The Massachusetts team is 21-1-3 at home this season and has the best record in the NHL.
Employed on the Krejci line, Pavel Zacha also scored twice, in addition to adding an assist. Brad Marchand also blacked the scoresheet with a goal and an assist.
Krejci, who broke his 16-year streak with the Bruins to play in his native country last year, joined forces with fellow Czechs Pastrnak and Zacha to end the Flyers’ three-game winning streak.
As you would expect in a match between two historical rivals, the physical game marked the meeting. In the 3rd period, Nicolas Deslauriers threw himself on AJ Greer who dealt a check to Tony DeAngelo. Although Deslauriers seemed interested in throwing down the gloves, the two Quebecers ultimately earned two minor roughness penalties and 10 minutes of misconduct.
Author of 29 saves, Jeremy Swayman earned his first shutout of the season.
Carter Hart stopped 14 shots, before being replaced midway through the second period by Samuel Ersson, who made nine saves. It was only the second loss in nine games for the Flyers.
Pastrnak opened the scoring after just five minutes of play. He forced a turnover in the Flyers’ zone, headed into the crease and deflected a pass from Zacha into the net. With five minutes left in the period, Zacha put all his weight into a slapshot that made it 2-0.
With four minutes played in the second period, Brad Marchand took advantage of a return shot to make it 3-0 with a backhand shot. Less than a minute later, Zacha’s cross pass was deflected into the net. With a knee on the ground, Pastrnak made it 5-0 with a one-timer early in the third period, before Matt Grzelcyk added the team’s sixth goal with 12 minutes to play.
Krejci received a standing ovation, accompanied by appreciation from both teams, when it was announced at the arena that this was his 1,000th game after his first game appearance.
The team announced it would honor Krejci ahead of its game against the Ottawa Senators on Feb. 20.
The Panthers continue their rise in the standings
Carter Verhaeghe had a goal and an assist to guide the Florida Panthers to a 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabers on Monday.
Matthew Tkachuk finished the game with three assists and the Panthers earned at least one point in their seventh straight game.
Brandon Montour, Sam Bennett and Anton Lundell also hit the mark for the Florida squad. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 28 pucks.
The Panthers edged the Buffalo Sabers for fourth in the Atlantic Division and begin a three-game road trip against divisional rivals.
Alex Tuch was the lone scorer for the Sabers, who have lost four of their last five games. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 30 saves.
