By: Chad Jones | Follow me on Twitter/X @ShutUpChadJones
Saturday night at TD Garden, the Boston Bruins bested the San Jose Sharks 6-4 to improve to 9-2-1 on the season. The Bruins’ third line of Elias Lindholm, centering James Hagens and Casey Mittelstadt, got the scoring started in this one.
Early in the first period, this trio was buzzing in the offensive zone. The forwards generated quality looks and kept the pressure on San Jose.
As Lindholm and Hagens were banging away at a rebound opportunity near the blue paint, Mittelstadt corralled the loose puck and slid a shot into the wide-open cage. The tally was Mittelstadt’s fourth tally of the year, and the second straight game he has ignited Boston’s scoring for the night.
The score was Mittelstadt’s 100th career National Hockey League goal. The 27-year-old forward from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, was selected in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. The Buffalo Sabres drafted Mittelstadt with the eighth pick.
After spending time as a member of the Sabres and Colorado Avalanche, the Bruins acquired Mittelstadt during the 2025 season as part of a package that sent Charlie Coyle to Colorado. In his first 101 games as a member of the Black and Gold, Mittelstadt has been productive.
He has potted 23 goals and racked up 32 assists. Last season with the Bruins, he played very well on Boston’s second line with Pavel Zacha and Viktor Arvidsson.
Early on in this campaign, Mittelstadt has found a good rhythm with Lindholm and Hagens. He has always been a capable playmaker and effective around the boards, but injuries and inconsistent play have popped up during Mittelstadt’s NHL career.
Early on last season, Bruins Head Coach Marco Sturm took Mittelstadt out of the lineup for a game after a 4-1 loss in Colorado. The next game against the Florida Panthers, the forward responded with two assists.
Being a former first-round pick brings a specific level of pressure. The league expects you to make it and stay in NHL lineups consistently. You must be an impact player and put up a plethora of points. While Mittelstadt hasn’t reached superstar status at this level, he has carved out a successful career so far in the NHL.
It will be interesting to see how Bruins management handles Mittelstadt’s current contract situation. The forward is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
With Mittelstadt continuing to create chemistry and chances on the third line with Lindholm and Hagens, he should continue to be a productive member of the Bruins’ offensive attack. However, another contender could also view him as a valuable piece to add forward depth at the deadline.
Regardless of what team Mittelstadt finds himself on next season, he has fit in well as a member of the Black and Gold. His vision, playmaking, and board play make him a valuable commodity in any NHL lineup. 100 career goals is an impressive milestone to reach. While Mittelstadt’s future in Boston is uncertain, he has solidified himself as a valuable player who can consistently make a positive impact in an NHL lineup.
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