The chemistry between Krejci and DeBrusk began building last season during DeBrusk's rookie campaign, but in recent weeks their synergy has grown - and at the perfect time.
With Pastrnak sidelined by a thumb injury, DeBrusk, in particular, has helped fill the void with Boston's leading scorer on the shelf. In the 10 games without Pastrnak, DeBrusk has notched 15 points and 8 goals, while Krejci has chipped in 14 points (4 goals, 10 assists) of his own.
"It's nice to produce," said DeBrusk, who now has 22 goals, smashing his mark of 16 from last season. "It's nice to help offensively, especially in the wins. I think that's the biggest thing. In tight games, you want to be the guy that scores the goal. Everyone in this room wants to be that guy, but it's nice to see that I'm getting some bounces here and there."
The goals he helped produce on Tuesday night, however, were far more than bounces. On Krejci's winner at 1:46 of OT, DeBrusk went full beast mode.
Surging in on the forecheck, the 22-year-old poked the puck away from Justin Faulk in the corner, before brushing off the defenseman and delivering a spin-o-rama feed to Krejci, who was breaking to the top of the crease. Krejci proceeded to dangle around Carolina goalie Curtis McElhinney to pot a nifty backhander for his 16th goal of the season.
"He made a great play," said Krejci. "He took the puck from the guy, then he made a great spin around and pass for me. He just kind of put it on my tape and I had the momentum going on the other side, the goalie went the other way.
"JD made it really easy on me…when he's hot, he's hot. He's been skating, he's been making some plays."