David Krejci Finishes April Off With ‘Sega Genesis NHL 94’ Play

On Friday, the NHL was still buzzing over the magical stickhandling and perfect sauce from David Krejci that led to Taylor Hall’s third-period goal in the Boston Bruins’ 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres.

“That was Sega Genesis NHL 94!” an NHL scout texted to Boston Hockey Now Friday morning.

My goodness, David Krejci. 😳 pic.twitter.com/vpVuHXFf8G

— NHL (@NHL) April 30, 2021

In case you didn’t see the game or you’re taking a break on social media or you’re living in a cave, David Krejci completed a lesson in stickhandling filth by feeding Hall for his fifth goal since becoming a Bruin at 16:43 of the third period to make it 4-2 Bruins. With all due respect to Hall, who has been sensational since arriving in Boston April 12 and becoming linemates with Krejci, this goal doesn’t happen without the mastery of one of the most underrated NHL centers of his time and right now, one of the hottest in the league, David Krejci. Krejci deked out the top pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Rasmus Dahlin, and the 29th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Henri Jokiharju before dishing it to Hall for the layup on the doorstep.

The look on Hall’s face as David Krejci and the other Bruins on the ice swarmed him after the goal was one of priceless amazement and that awe was again evident in the postgame media Zoom sessions.

“I think it’s easy for him,” said Bruins forward Charlie Coyle who got off the schneid with his first goal in 28 games. “It’s just the skill set he has. You’ve seen it in, what, back-to-back games now. That’s the hands that Krech has, the awareness, the hockey sense — everything. A little of everything goes into that one. When you have the kind of patience he has, can make a move like that, the confidence to do it and put it on a platter for Taylor Hall, who’s been great for us, it’s so special to see it up close and play with guys and learn from guys like that. He’s just been on a tear lately. It’s great to see.”

Krejci has always been a clutch playoff performer with 115 career points in 145 playoff games so since the playoffs would be in the second round right now, maybe this would explain the monster month of April he just had with six goals and five assists, but he’s simply on another level not even ‘Playoff Krech’ has been on since the 2011 Stanley Cup run.

“He’s re-energized in terms of attacking,” coach Bruce Cassidy said after the game Thursday. “That was an all-world play tonight, obviously, beating guys one-on-one. But he’s moving his feet and going north a little more. He’s got a guy on his left wing who can bomb down the wing, a guy on his right wing that can skate. I’d say the biggest thing is his pace. He’s playing with a little more pace. His wingers are maybe forcing him to do that. He’s making plays, obviously, and finishing plays while he’s doing it.”

The legendary Scotty Bowman once said Krejci reminded him of hall of famer Igor ‘The Professor’ Larionov and right now, the David Krejci school is in session and back to in-person learning.