If there was any doubt that the members of David Krejci’s line had hit the ground running this season, the point was reiterated on Monday night. 

Both Krejci and Nathan Horton had multi-point performances, making noise both on even strength and the power play while having a hand in three of the Bruins’ five goals (really four; one was a power-play empty-netter from Tyler Seguin in the final seconds of the game) in the team’s 5-3 win over the Hurricanes on Monday night. 

In what was the latest example of Dougie Hamilton’s seamless transition to the NHL, the first line produced the game-winner against Carolina. With both Lucic and Horton making their presence felt in front either physically or with scoring bids, the puck bounced out and onto to stick of Hamilton. The rookie sold Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward on the shot before sliding it over to the left circle, where Krejci was waiting to fire. 

While the obvious takeaways of the play were Hamilton’s pass and Krejci’s goal, the work done in front by Lucic and Horton further proved why Boston’s top trio can be so tough to play against. They’re relentless and, when on, they get results.

So far, the results have been there. Horton has a pair of goals – including an absolute beauty in the second period Monday in which he made old friend Tim Gleason (the guy he jumped last Oct. 18 amidst early season and in-game frustrations), among others, look like cardboard cutouts – while Krejci is tied with Zdeno Chara for the team lead with five points (one goal, four assists).

Lucic didn’t pick up any points on Monday, but his work in front of the net paid off not only on Krejci’s goal, but on Chara’s first-period power-play tally. With Lucic screening Ward, Chara was able to throw a wrist shot on net and watch it sail past in. 

The questions were there for the line entering the season, as Lucic and Horton didn’t play during the lockout, while Horton was coming off his second consecutive season-ending concussion. Lucic has been sharp and engaged on the ice while Horton came back physically stronger and with the enthusiasm that made him a fan favorite early on in the 2010-11 season. 

As for Krejci, it’s hard to be surprised by his performance so far. Skilled players figured to fare better in this shortened season (with the exception in the Bruins’ case being Seguin, who scored his first goal on the aforementioned empty-netter), and so far Krejci has been motivated to perform. It’s shown, as the trio has consistently gotten their chances and has been able to cash in more than anyone else.  

THIRD LINE STILL STRUGGLING

While Krejci’s line has been fantastic, the same can’t be said for Chris Kelly’s line. Though the Bruins didn’t expect the trio of Kelly between Chris Bourque and Rich Peverley to be an offensive monster, Kelly was coming off a career year in terms of offensive production (20 goals and 19 assists for 39 points) and all three members of the line were entering the shortened season with playing time under their belt during the lockout. 

Thus far, the results haven’t been pretty. The line was a minus-1 again for the Bruins on Monday, meaning that both Bourque and Peverley are now each a minus-4 on the season after having a minus-1 in every game but the second contest against the Jets. Kelly is a minus-3 through five games. 

The most telling moment that things are out of whack came late in the second period, when Kelly – who is as responsible as they come defensively – tried to send a pass out of the Bruins’ zone, only to put it right in the feet of Alexander Semin. The former Capital quickly gained control of the puck and fed it to Eric Staal, who made the Bruins pay for their sloppiness by tying the game at three goals apiece. 

Through five games, the line has produced zero goals (the only one of the four lines to not have a goal this season), while Kelly and Peverley each have a secondary assist to their name. Bourque, who has four career points in the NHL, is looking for his first as a member of the B’s. 

The Bruins have also stuck with Bourque on the power play, which could potentially change if the second unit doesn’t get going. Claude Julien pointed out on Sunday that some good teams simply have bad power plays. That’s a fair point, but do you know what would make those good teams even better? Good power plays.