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Is David Krejci providing this year’s answer to Danny Briere’s 2010 playoff run?

David Krejci

Boston Bruins center David Krejci (46), of the Czech Republic, scores against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first period of Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference final playoff series on Thursday, May 19, 2011, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

AP

As time goes on, great playoff performances tend to get lost in the shuffle if those players fail to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. As great as Cam Ward was in the Carolina Hurricanes’ 2006 Stanley Cup run, Eric Staal and Rod Brind’Amour were also worthy of plenty of accolades (although Chris Pronger’s incredible work might have been the biggest story of that playoff year).

In most cases, the leading scorer of the playoff gets the majority of the attention. Yet if the ranks don’t change at the top once the 2011 Stanley Cup finals conclude, the leading point getter might slip a bit under the radar just like last year.

David Krejci’s underrated run

David Krejci has been outstanding in these playoffs, creating great chances whether it has been Rich Peverley, Mark Ryder or Nathan Horton skating on his line with Milan Lucic. Krejci is currently the leading scorer in the 2011 playoffs, scoring 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points. Henrik Sedin ranks in second place with 21 points (two goals and 19 assists).

Despite being a consistent threat on offense (and scoring some huge goals), Krejci has rarely been given a whole lot of credit for Boston’s success. Most of the focus is on Tim Thomas’ outstanding netminding, Zdeno Chara’s hydration issues and leadership savvy along with the health of forwards such as Patrice Bergeron and Horton. Yet with all that attention going in different directions, Krejci has been the catalyst of one of the most dangerous lines in the postseason. Ever since he exacted revenge on the over-matched Philadelphia Flyers for Mike Richards’ injurious hit in last year’s second round, Krejci has been on a whole other level ... even if most of the hockey world hasn’t been paying much attention.

Danny Briere’s accomplishments also received less hype

Perhaps this story is just following patterns established last season, though. While Jonathan Toews received the Conn Smythe Trophy, Patrick Kane gained the glory of scoring the Cup-winning goal and Chris Pronger generated MVP attention of his own, Danny Briere “quietly” scored an outstanding 30 points* to lead the playoffs. Like Krejci, Briere was a known talent who wasn’t expected to flourish as much as he did on the game’s largest stage. (They did more than just set up goals, too; Briere finished in second place with 12 goals while Krejci’s 11 leads the playoffs at the moment.)

Now, it’s quite possible that Krejci will see one (or both) of the Sedin twins or Ryan Kesler pass him by between Game 6 and a possible Game 7. It’s also fair to say that he hasn’t been the league leader for very long, so maybe it’s reasonable that his accomplishments haven’t been trumpeted very often.

Greater plaudits will come if Krejci maintains his success next season

Much like the belated praise Briere received after continuing his great postseason work in this year’s playoffs, Krejci is likely to receive more attention if he keeps it going. The Boston Bruins would certainly love to see that happen, too.

* Should we be worried that Briere scored 30 points in 23 games while Krejci’s league-leading 22 points came in 23 games as well? Maybe, but I would chalk up some of the disparity to the very low scoring games in Vancouver compared to a rather run-and-gun series between the Blackhawks and Flyers in 2010.