That David Krejci recorded a three-point night in the Bruins’ 6-1 laugher over Detroit on Wednesday was not an exceptional achievement. The sublimely skilled pivot has the touch, vision, creativity, and slipperiness to put up as many points as he wants whenever he ties on his skates.

The trouble with Krejci for more than half of the season is that such games were outliers. Whether it was because of his offseason hip surgery, an oil-and-water mix with David Backes, or a dip in confidence, Krejci would go silent for clusters around his occasional spikes. 

“It was tough coming back from the hip surgery,’’ Krejci said. “But now I feel really good. I feel like I’ve got my speed back.’’  

Perhaps it is a coincidence that Krejci is a point-per-game player in the last 12 games. Including Wednesday’s outburst, the No. 2 center has five goals and seven assists since Bruce Cassidy took over the bench. In the previous 12 games before the change, Krejci had four goals and four assists for Claude Julien, previously his only NHL coach. 

 But it is likely that one of Cassidy’s primary changes has played a part in Krejci’s consistent offensive presence. 

 It was not easy for Cassidy to bust up the NHL’s best 200-foot line. Other coaches may have shaken their heads at taking David Pastrnak away from Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. The line turned defensive situations into free-for-all, high-volume offensive flurries. 

The thing that Cassidy wanted to address, however, was a top-heavy lineup. When the first-liners went to the bench, so did the bulk of the Bruins’ scoring chances. Lines 2 through 4 could not replicate the accumulation of offense that Marchand, Bergeron, and Pastrnak compiled. 

It was a hard decision. In retrospect, it was the right thing to do. Dropping Pastrnak to Krejci’s flank has not diminished the right wing’s scoring presence. Pastrnak remains a dynamic attacker, especially in one-on-one situations. 

But Pastrnak’s frenzy has made Krejci a more dangerous attacker. Pastrnak plays at a far higher tempo than Backes, which has prompted Krejci to shift into a higher gear in the neutral zone. Together, they are providing a good second punch after Marchand and Bergeron.  

“David needs that on his wing — someone that will get in there,’’ Cassidy said. “If we’re going to dump it behind their D, we need someone who can recover some of those pucks. I think Krech’s strength is a transition game. Most of the time, he’s making plays through the neutral zone and small-ice plays. When he has to do that on the forecheck, I think Pasta’s really helped him get some pucks back.’’  

After a sputtering start, the Bruins got on the scoreboard first at 11:07 of the opening period because of Krejci’s one-on-one drive. Drew Stafford, playing on Krejci’s left flank for the first time, hit his center with a cross-ice pass. 

Danny DeKeyser was in position to cut down Krejci’s approach. Krejci turned DeKeyser into a turnstile. He powered through the defenseman, approached Jared Coreau, and slipped the puck past the goalie’s glove. Krejci bull-rushed DeKeyser with force that he simply didn’t have in the first months of the season. 

“I don’t even think I would try it,’’ Krejci said. “I feel good. In January, I felt like I got another gear.’’ 

Krejci and Pastrnak teamed on the forecheck later in the first to give the Bruins a 4-0 lead. Petr Mrazek had replaced Coreau after Stafford scored the Bruins’ third goal. Krejci made sure to add Mrazek to his list of victims.  

Pastrnak stripped the puck from Tomas Tatar deep in the offensive zone. Pastrnak tried to get the puck to Krejci, but Dylan Larkin stepped in front of the pass. Larkin tried to clear the zone off his backhand. But Larkin gave the puck to Krejci instead. The center did not hesitate to snap the puck blocker side on Mrazek with 14.9 seconds remaining in the first. 

 It looked like Krejci’s scoring binge was not over. He had two close-range chances in the second to send the hats flying onto the TD Garden ice. Although Krejci missed on both opportunities, the Bruins were pleased he was shooting. Krejci usually looks to dish first. But with Pastrnak opening up space, Krejci attempted a game-high seven shots.  

“Most nights, he’s been very good,’’ Cassidy said. “Tonight, it was nice to see him score too. He’s generally pass-first. He’d probably tell you he could have had four tonight. There were a couple around the net as well. It was good for him. I think he needed it.’’ 

Krejci was 23 years when he underwent his first hip procedure. The following season, he recalled feeling better around the Olympic break.  

He is seven years older now. That his jump would return was no guarantee. Krejci, however, always had faith.  

“I knew it was going to come,’’ Krejci said. “I was there before. The same thing happened last time. I started feeling good – it was an Olympic year — at the Olympics. I came back and played well. I knew it might take a little bit longer in October and November. I’m glad it’s here now. I can just focus on my game.’’ 

Fluto Shinzawa can be reached at fshinzawa@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeFluto.