Krejci passing two-way test

There is no doubt, given his 74 assists in 2006-07, about Marc Savard's status as the Bruins' top playmaker and one of the premier setup men in the NHL.

But a center only two seasons removed from junior hockey is fast making his case to be Boston's No. 2 disher.

"He's got beautiful hands," P.J. Axelsson said of 21-year-old David Krejci. "He sees the ice really, really well."

Krejci, the second-year pro from Czech Republic, entered training camp on the bubble. Bruins management had few questions about his skill, which he used to post a 31-43 -74 line in 69 games for Providence last season, but had reservations about his defensive game.

Given the Bruins' depth up the middle, Krejci might have been targeted for a return to the AHL to start 2007-08. But he may have played his way onto the big club as the third-line center, especially given the way he's worked on his two-way game in camp.

"I think he's playing well defensively, too," said Axelsson. "And that's really a key. You can do all you want offensively, but you have to play D, too, in this league. So far, he's shown he can do that."

Krejci, who was on Minnesota's wish list when the Wild were shopping Manny Fernandez, skated on a line with Axelsson and Chuck Kobasew in Sunday's 4-3 loss to Montreal. Glen Murray potted one goal on the power play and Phil Kessel tallied after the Bruins pulled their goalie, but Krejci's line scored with the teams skating five aside.

On the play, Axelsson forced a turnover in the neutral zone and chipped the puck over a defender's stick to Krejci, who had spotted the winger's strip and curled up the ice.

Krejci collected the puck, recognized that Kobasew had joined the rush for a two-on-one, and attacked the net. When Krejci reached the left circle, he fired a crisp cross-ice pass for Kobasew that the right wing tapped past goalie Jaroslav Halak at 17:02 of the second period.

"They played a good two-way game," said coach Claude Julien. "They got rewarded with a goal because they drove to the net. Nice pass by Krejci."

Last season, the Bruins featured more traditional checkers, with the trio of Mark Mowers, Wayne Primeau, and Shean Donovan getting most of the third-line time.

This year, if the Axelsson-Krejci-Kobasew line remains intact, it will be more of a hybrid threesome. Axelsson has the reputation of being a shutdown winger, but he played most of 2006-07 on the No. 1 line with Savard and Murray, collecting 27 points in 55 games.

Kobasew struggled with injuries (elbow, concussion) last season, but he is one of the club's faster skaters, is willing to play dirty in the danger areas, and scored 20 goals in 2005-06 while playing for Calgary.

Then there's Krejci, who still needs to develop his defensive game but gives the goal-challenged Bruins (25th in scoring last season) more options on offense than a pure checking-line center would.

"I feel good," Krejci said of his camp. "Gotten good ice time, some time on the power play and penalty kill. I feel comfortable on the ice."

Mowers to Anaheim

With no room for him on the fourth line, the Bruins traded Mowers to Anaheim yesterday for AHL defensemen Nathan Saunders and Brett Skinner.

Mowers, in the second season of a two-year contract, was fighting for fourth-line duty in camp with several Bruins, including Glen Metropolit, Nate Thompson, and Petteri Nokelainen. But it didn't look like the 33-year-old Mowers would make the club out of camp, which prompted the deal.

The trade indicates that Metropolit, an unsigned camp invitee, may be close to signing with Boston.

Saunders, 22, a fourth-round pick of the Ducks in 2003, spent most of last season in the ECHL, where he scored one goal and added 13 assists for Augusta. The 24-year-old Skinner, a third-round pick of Vancouver in 2002, played in 62 AHL games last year for Portland and Omaha, scoring six goals and adding 18 assists.

Mowers appeared in 78 games for the Bruins last season, recording five goals and 12 assists. Saunders and Skinner will report to Providence.

Lining them up

With two preseason games remaining (Thursday against the Canadiens and Sunday against the Islanders), Julien's lines appear to be taking shape. Savard will most likely center Murray and Peter Schaefer, while Kessel, who's played right wing the last two matches, could skate with Marco Sturm and Patrice Bergeron. Thompson, Nokelainen, and Milan Lucic remain in the mix for fourth-line duty.

If the Axelsson-Krejci-Kobasew unit stays together, that leaves some question marks on the fourth line. Metropolit has played well and can skate at wing and center, giving the club some flexibility. While they won't necessarily dress every night, Jeremy Reich and Shawn Thornton appear safe because of their grit and toughness.

The lines could change if Brandon Bochenski rebounds in the final two games. Bochenski, once seen as a candidate at right wing on a scoring line, has not produced in game action and didn't dress against Montreal Sunday. The Bruins staff will most likely give the 25-year-old a hard look in the two remaining games.

Day of rest

After 10 straight days of work, Julien gave his players yesterday off. The team will practice today and tomorrow at TD Banknorth Garden, then travel Thursday to Montreal and bus to Stowe, Vt., after the game. They will practice and have team bonding activities in Vermont Friday and Saturday . . . The fourth round of cuts will most likely take place before Thursday's game.