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David Krejci out but Bruins 'optimistic' about playoff status

Boston Bruins forward David Krejci won't play again in the regular season because of a nagging lower-body injury, coach Jim Montgomery said Tuesday.

The Bruins (64-12-5), however, are optimistic that Krejci will return to the lineup for the upcoming playoffs. The 36-year-old has not played since suffering the injury on April 1.

"Today was his best day, so that has us optimistic about where he's going to be Game 1 [of the playoffs]," Montgomery said Tuesday before the Bruins defeated the Washington Capitals 5-2 to set the NHL regular-season points record. "He will not play either game [remaining in the regular season]."

Krejci has 56 points (16 goals, 40 assists) in 70 games this season.

A Stanley Cup champion with the Bruins in 2011, Krejci has totaled 786 points (231 goals, 555 assists) in 1,032 career games. He was selected by Boston in the second round of the 2004 NHL draft.

Reuters contributed to this report.