If every game in a 48-game schedule will carry the importance of a playoff game, does that mean Bruins fans can expect a big season from David Krejci?

Known for elevating his level of play when the games really count (last season’s three-point dud against the Capitals excluded), Krejci could be among the players who shine in what figures to be a sprint to the playoffs. He should be in good enough shape physically after playing 24 games in the Czech Extraliga during the lockout with 16-11—27 totals. 

So as predictions are made for the upcoming season, here’s one: This will be a big year for the highly skilled, highly paid Krejci. 

It’s no secret that consistency has been an issue for Krejci over the course of his NHL career. There should be no lack of motivation this season, however, as this compressed schedule won’t have the lulls of an 82-game campaign. 

For proof of the center’s streaky nature, look no further than last season. Krejci had five goals and 11 assists during an 11-game point streak from Dec. 17 through Jan. 14 and had 16 points in 13 January games. He followed that impressive month with just two goals and zero helpers in 13 contests in February. 

Krejci, who is entering the first season of a three-year, $15.75 million contract, can be the best player on the ice or he can be too quiet for a first-line center, and it’s usually one or the other. But when games really matter – like in the Bruins’ 2010-11 Stanley Cup run, for example – he is more often than not the former. In the aforementioned 2011 postseason, Krejci led all playoff skaters in both goals (12) and points (23). His 11 assists were tied for second on the B’s.

The year before that, Krejci had four goals and four assists for eight points in nine games before suffering a season-ending wrist injury in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Flyers. No one can know for sure, but it’s pretty easy to guess that the B’s, who had a 3-0 series lead after that game and went on to blow it in historic fashion, would have been able to put the Flyers away if he remained healthy. 

Unfortunately for Krejci and the Bruins, last postseason was a different story. In what was a forgettable series for pretty much everyone not named Rich Peverley or Dennis Seidenberg, Krejci was subpar, failing to get a shot on goal in Games 1 and 4 and not registering a point until Game 5. His lone standout performance came when he scored and picked up an assist in Game 6, but he was kept off the scoresheet and tallied just one shot on goal in the season-ending Game 7. 

That’s in Krejci’s past now, however, and all he’s thinking about is this season. Based on what he was able to do in the Czech Republic, it’s gotten off to a good start. Between being in game shape and being motivated to perform in a season in which each game is critical, the signs that Krejci could have a big season are there. 

Asked about a shorter season potentially yielding bigger numbers for him, the 26-year-old saw opportunity not only for himself, but for the Bruins. 

“It's going to be short, so we have to get off to a really good start and try to start off really well, individually and as a team,” he said. “That's going to be something we'll have to focus on in the beginning of the season. As for what happens, we shouldn't look too far ahead. Let's focus on the start and go from there.”

When all parties have been healthy, Claude Julien has put Krejci between Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton together for the majority of the last two seasons. The argument could be made for sticking Tyler Seguin on Horton’s wing, but the Lucic-Krejci-Seguin trio was a defensive liability when teamed together last season, and that is a big no-no in Julien’s book. 

Assuming Julien keeps Krejci with Lucic and Horton, it should be interesting to see how the trio fares this season considering that the last shortened season (1994-95) actually yielded faster hockey. With two power forwards at its disposal, the Krejci line is capable of grinding and slowing other teams’ top-6 forwards, so a line with equal parts grit and skill could further tire opposing teams in what already figures to be a tiring campaign. 

Horton, who is coming off his second straight season-ending concussion, has been skating throughout the lockout and would have been ready to start the season had it began on time in October. Krejci likes what he’s seen from the big winger and hopes to be his linemate again.  

“It's good to see him,” Krejci said of Horton. “I skated with him in the summer here in Boston before I left for Czech. He looked good then and he looks pretty good [now]. I'm excited to play with him and Looch again, if that happens.”

Krejci was one of 12 Bruins to play in Europe during the lockout. Only the Flyers matched that total, but Krejci knows there are both plenty of players with the advantage of being in game shape and plenty of other players who understand the importance of two points in a 48-game season. 

“Everybody's going to be hungry. Every single team in the NHL,” Krejci said. “So many guys didn't play in any games this year and many guys did. We're just going to have to be more hungry than they will be. I think from what I saw today, guys are ready. Guys are excited, so hopefully we're going to have a good start and go from there.”