Strong December Performance Has Krejci "Feeling Good"

BOSTON - David Krejci has twice been the National Hockey League's postseason scoring leader. The pivot paced the Bruins during their Stanley Cup championship in 2011 and again two years later during Boston's run to the 2013 Stanley Cup Final.
And throughout his 10-year career, Krejci has been known as one of the league's great playmakers.
The beginning of this season, however, was not the easiest for the Czech Republic native. Krejci entered the year fresh off surgery to repair his left hip and he knew it would take a bit of time to feel like he was back to full speed.

His performance throughout the month of December suggests that time has come.
Krejci has posted 5-5-10 totals in 15 games this month and enters Saturday's game with Buffalo riding a three-game points streak and back-to-back two-point games.
His power-play tally late in the second period Thursday night in Buffalo tied the score and his sweet dish to Ryan Spooner in the closing minutes of regulation led to the winning goal in a 4-2 comeback win over the Sabres.

"That's David, when he feels it - I think every player gets hot at some point and they feel good about their game and feel confident about their game," said Bruins coach Claude Julien.
"I think that's what David is right now, feeling confident and the way he is right now. You take advantage of it. Cross your fingers that it can last as long as it can. When he's at his best he's one of the better players in the league."
Krejci has eight goals and 16 assists for 24 points this season, which ranks third on the Bruins behind Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak.
"I'm feeling good lately," said Krejci. "Not just because the points are there, but just the way I feel in my skating. Just happy where I am right now and hopefully I can keep it going.
"Every time I get my legs going, everything kind of comes easier. I have to make sure I prepare every game that I got my legs. If I do that, I'm a pretty good player."
Despite losing one of his wingers early in the Buffalo game, after David Backes left after taking a hit to the head, Krejci's game did not dip. To Julien, Krejci's performance was a clear sign of his ability to lift up the players around him.
"David's feeling it right now," said Julien. "It doesn't matter who's with him. People say 'He needs this winger, he needs that winger.'
"David doesn't need anything, David, when he's on his game, will make everyone around him look good. That's how good David Krejci is."

Backes Being Evaluated; Vatrano Slides Up

Backes left Thursday night's game in the first period after taking an illegal check to the head from Sabres forward William Carrier. Julien said the winger was being evaluated on Friday morning.
"He's being assessed today," said Julien. "The organization will release something as soon as they know more. He's seeing the doctors."
Backes was the lone Bruin to miss practice on Friday morning. As he did for the remainder of the game against Buffalo, Frank Vatrano - who tallied two assists against Buffalo - slid up to Backes' right wing, alongside Spooner and Krejci.

"Everything's a little reversed out there, especially when you're used to playing on the left side," Vatrano said of making the switch from left wing to right wing.
"As a shooter, you're always in the shooting position to corral it. Still getting used to the position after not playing for a little bit."
The trio could make for a dynamic offensive unit, especially with the recent emergence of Spooner's scoring touch. Spooner, who had two goals including the winner against Buffalo, is riding a four-game point streak (3-3-6).
"Ryan Spooner, give him credit, he's been good lately," said Julien. "There's been times when we've been hard on him and rightfully so, but when he plays well he deserves the accolades.
"Ryan Spooner's been a good player for us lately. You hope he continues to grow. It's encouraging to see a player like that pick up his game."

Right Back at It

The Bruins and Sabres will cap off their home-and-home series on Saturday afternoon with a New Year's Eve matinee at TD Garden. Boston knows Buffalo - which has lost all three meetings against the B's this season - will be in search of some payback, especially after Thursday night's loss at KeyBank Centre.
"They're not going to stop because they lost [Thursday]," said Julien. "They're going to come ready to play and we have to know that and understand what we're up against.
"Instead of fearing it or wait and see if that's the case, we have to set the tone."

Boston hopes the emotional win against the Sabres Thursday can act as a bit of a springboard moving forward.
"For sure, I think we came together a bit as a group last night, in terms of responding to adversity," said Dominic Moore. "It's important to have those kinds of games. At the same time, it's important that we continue to come together and build on those types of things.
"We did a good enough job last night to focus on the task at hand and get the two points."

Friday's Practice Lineup

FORWARDS
GOLD: Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
WHITE: Ryan Spooner - David Krejci - Frank Vatrano
GREY: Tim Schaller - Austin Czarnik - Riley Nash
MAROON: Anton Blidh - Dominic Moore - Jimmy Hayes/Noel Acciari
DEFENSEMEN
Zdeno Chara - Brandon Carlo
Torey Krug - Adam McQuaid
Kevan Miller - Colin Miller
John-Michael Liles - Joe Morrow
GOALIES
Tuukka Rask
Anton Khudobin