bostonglobe
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Casey Mittelstadt brought momentum with him to Silicon Valley.
Skating on the left side of Marco Sturm's reconfigured third line, Mittelstadt had scored in consecutive games as the Bruins geared up for a late-night clash with the Sharks at SAP Center on Tuesday, with the puck set to drop at 11:15 p.m. Eastern.
Previously a vital component of Boston's most reliable unit last season—the second line alongside center Pavel Zacha and right wing Viktor Arvidsson—Mittelstadt now finds himself flanking center Elias Lindholm and right wing James Hagens.
Although the sample size remains limited, the trio has flourished in the opening stretch.
"I think we're just playing fast and playing simple when we need to play simple and making plays when plays are there," Mittelstadt said after the team's morning skate. "I think we jell pretty well. I feel like me and Hages see the game pretty similarly, and obviously Lindy's been around for a long time and does a heck of a job in the middle. Some good things to build on and try to keep it going."
So far, so good, according to Sturm, who has acknowledged that due to a shortened training camp and preseason, line adjustments are expected early on.
"They've been pretty good," the Bruins coach said. "I mean, I always try to find somebody also who can give us a little bit of shutdown mentality, too, against some really good lines, but also able to score some goals. I think going into that decision, we thought that [combination] could be a good mix. And so far at home, I used Lindy and [Fraser] Minten for the most part against [opponents'] top line. It worked well. We'll just have to continue to get some more reps. But the start, definitely the first two games were pretty good."
Mittelstadt has spent considerable time at center during his career, and he said that experience has provided him a distinct vantage point as a winger. Hagens also developed as a center, meaning the third line essentially features three players with pivot mentalities.
"I feel like Hages is good on the walls and wants to make plays in the neutral zone and kind of attack that way," Mittelstadt said. "When I played center, I always liked having a guy on my wing who had played a lot of center. I feel like it helps you out quite a bit. And I think it helps you see the game just like each other."
Since taking over behind the Bruins bench, Sturm has witnessed Mittelstadt's 200-foot game improve by leaps and bounds.
"When I got hired, he was always, I felt, like that big offensive guy. And maybe it's my fault I turned him into a little bit of a two-way guy, but I think it just fits him better," Sturm said. "He's just very crafty. He's good on his stick. He's good on the wall, can play both ways. There's a lot of good things in his game."
Mittelstadt concurred with Sturm's evaluation.
"Hopefully, I guess," Mittelstadt said with a smile. "I think obviously I played center for a long time, and I think playing center and now playing wing and having that experience at center helps me, too, a lot. Maybe I wasn't the best defensive center, but I feel like I tried for sure and I think that helps playing the wing. I can see the game through Lindy's eyes a little bit and help him out. So, I would like to believe that's true."
Mittelstadt called Hagens awesome and has relished being both a linemate and mentor to the rookie.
"I think he's a heck of a player. I don't think he needs to do a ton of settling and just keep focusing and playing the game," he said. "Obviously mistakes will be made, but the quicker you can learn from them and move on, I think the better. And I think that's been the messaging from me and Lindy: just go play, we all make mistakes, just cover for each other when you do."
Mittelstadt is paying it forward after Sabres veterans Kyle Okposo and Jeff Skinner guided him as he cut his NHL teeth.
"Early in my career, I think Jeff Skinner took me under his wing a lot. I just kind of hung around him and obviously a thousand games and a lot of goals scored," Mittelstadt said. "He taught me a lot and then I feel like it kind of evolved into Okie in the last few years. He's a [fellow] Minnesota guy and has a familiar background. I mean, he's a world class guy. ... I was very honored and lucky to have those guys."
* The late starting time—an insomniac's dream (how's that for an oxymoron?)—was because of the NHL's Frozen Frenzy in which all 32 NHL teams played and all were televised on ESPN and/or ESPN+.
Hagens said Sharks winger and fellow Boston College alum Will Smith is a good buddy of mine. They became friends during the recruiting process.
Jeremy Swayman got the start in net and backup Michael DiPietro's next game likely will be against the Ducks (Friday) or Kings (Saturday).
Jim McBride can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @globejimmcbride.
Originally reported by bostonglobe.