Quite a lot of good issues got here out of the Bruins’ 2-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, not the least of which was a 3rd line that appears prefer it might be a handful for opponents.
The hard-nosed, versatile Mark Kastelic was bumped as much as play with Fraser Minten and Tanner Jeannot and, although the trio didn’t get on the scoreboard, the road took it to the Canes, grinding them down with offensive zone possession time and setting the tone for the following males up. The trio outshot their opponents, 9-4, and had a decisive edge in scoring possibilities, 11-5, based on Pure Stat Trick. At 6-foot-4, 234 kilos, Kastelic joins 6-2, 221-pound Jeannot and 6-2, 204-pound Minten to create a bodily imposing unit.
“It was enjoyable. These two guys are nice gamers. It’s fairly simple to play with them. It’s simple to combine and match the strains on this group so I really feel like anyone can play with anyone,” stated Kastelic after Monday’s observe Warrior Ice Enviornment. “Early on, we simply sort of clicked. We have been all on the identical web page. We had an excellent recreation for my part. We managed the play. I believe we have been of their zone greater than they have been in ours in order that’s a win for us. Hopefully we simply proceed to try this.”
Prematurely of Tuesday’s recreation in opposition to the Islanders on Lengthy Island, Kastelic remained with Jeannot and Minten. The truth is, all of the strains and protection pairs remained the identical. It’s arduous to alter something after getting the sort of efficiency you’ve been looking for all season.
Up till Saturday, it appeared that Kastelic and fourth line heart Sean Kuraly could be connected on the hip for the season, their video games seemingly made for one another. However coach Marco Sturm was on the lookout for a bit of extra and velocity and puck possession from the third line and Kastelic helped to supply it.
“I believe Kas has the velocity and likewise he’s actually good at holding pucks within the offensive zone, not solely getting the primary touches on the forecheck but additionally holding pucks,” stated Sturm. “I believed that will assist the road, too. And likewise Mints was additionally struggling a bit of bit on the correct circle with faceoffs and that’s one other factor the place we might use him.”
How a lot of a “promotion” it was for Kastelic is debatable. There are some nights the supposed fourth line has gotten extra icetime than the nominal third line.
Nevertheless it did really feel like a bit of nod to Kastelic for a great first month of the season.
“I strive to not learn an excessive amount of into what line I’m on and all that sort of stuff. Nevertheless it undoubtedly seems like a great alternative and I’m simply attempting to profit from each likelihood I can get. However once more, I don’t need to learn to a lot into it, both, as a result of I’m pleased enjoying with a number of guys on this group,” stated Kastelic.
The 26-year-old Kastelic’s offensive numbers have all the time been modest. His highest purpose complete was seven as an Ottawa Senator in 2022-23. He regarded like he was prepared to interrupt that non-public greatest final season (his 14 general factors was a profession greatest) when he obtained off to a great begin however his season went sideways when he suffered a concussion final January. He wound up with 5 targets in 61 video games.
“I’m all the time simply attempting to enhance on the 12 months earlier than and I believe since I broke into the league, I really feel like I’ve been doing that every 12 months and introduced extra to the desk offensively,” stated Kastelic. “I undoubtedly really feel assured in my skill-set and what I can carry to the sport, simply proceed to create alternatives and achieve the coach’s belief to be put in numerous conditions. I assume the targets are simply to enhance on final 12 months and go from there.”
Maybe a greater barometer of what he brings to the desk is the variety of penalties he’s drawn. He’s put the B’s on the ability play eight instances this 12 months, tied for second within the league going into Monday’s video games.
“I haven’t actually thought to a lot into it. It’s simply sort of occurred,” stated Kastelic of the drawn calls. “I assume whenever you play the correct manner and skate arduous, good issues occur and the opposite guys can get into some weak positions, in order that’s what I’ve been attempting to do.”…
It’s arduous to not discover the jolt that defenseman Hampus Lindholm has given this group. The B’s are 3-0 since he returned from his decrease physique harm and are 5–1 with him within the lineup. The one loss was in Colorado, when he first tried to return from the harm he suffered within the second recreation of the season.
“It begins within the room first. You guys see solely what he brings on the ice. I see each. I see what he brings within the room, simply his presence alone. He’s not shy. He talks lots within the room and he’s serving to everybody out in a optimistic manner,” stated Sturm. “And on the ice, not only for his associate however general he simply brings a sure calmness in our group. In fact, he’s been round a bit of bit. That helps…Our file with him within the lineup is fairly rattling good so there should be a motive.”…
Sturm stated the Elias Lindholm, whose left knee buckled on a mid-ice hit from Buffalo’s Jordan Greenway final Thursday, shall be out “week-to-week.” The coach stated the MRI he underwent on Friday confirmed what the group suspected, however he didn’t share what these suspicions have been.
