Krejci's goal sparks comeback vs. Rangers

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BOSTON -- The third period comeback for the Boston Bruins never happens if they dont get that vital first goal midway through the final 20 minutes.

Thats where David Krejci came in by pouncing on a rebound after a Dennis Seidenberg shot created a rebound that bounced off Milan Lucics big body in front of the net. With both Lucic and Nathan Horton pounding away at the New York Rangers defense in front of the net, Krejci crashed the net near the right post and flipped the puck for his fourth goal of the season.

It helped the Bruins erase a three-goal deficit in the third period when they scored two more in the final 1:31 of the third period with Tuukka Rask pulled from the net. While those two goals were huge in the closing minutes of the eventual 4-3 shootout loss at TD Garden, Krejci said he could feel the tone of the Rangers change after his first goal.

"It was important obviouslyyouve got to get the first one. Once you get the first one then they get nervous a little bit I think thats what happened, said Krejci. We were all over them, we were getting great chances after the first goal and our shooters did a good job driving the net and then putting the puck in the back of the net.

It was fitting that Krejci got things started for the Bruins as the Czech Republic native was the best forward on his line for most of the night. Lucic and Horton seemed a little off their games in the first two periods and an ill-advised neutral zone feed from the left wing led to one of New Yorks goals, but Krejci just stayed with his game into the third period.

Its the reason Krejci is leading the Bruins with 11 points (4 goals and 7 assists) in 11 games this season, and has managed to keep his own game consistent while things are fluctuating around him. The playmaking pivot is creating and scoring at a point-per-game pace that some have envisioned for the 26-year-old since he first burst onto the scene for the Bruins five years ago.

Krejci led all players with five shots on net in his 21:05 in ice time, and once again was one of the best players on the ice from beginning to end.

Those two big wingers did a great job in front of the net. They were two big bodies that had the other players on the other team preoccupied with, and Krejci just snuck to the side of the net and was able to pounce on that loose puck, said Claude Julien. "Krejci has been a good player for us this year.

Hes feeling good about his game, hes feeling good about himself, and when Dave Krejci feels that way Daves a real good player.

When Krejci is a really good player, its been proven that the Bruins are a very difficult hockey club to defeat.

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