By: Chad Jones | Follow me on Twitter/X @ShutUpChadJones
The Boston Bruins have been playing some terrific hockey out of the gate. Under Bruins Head Coach Marco Sturm, Boston has posted a 10-4-1 record, which is good enough for first place in the Atlantic Division.
A key ingredient in the Bruins’ formula has been balanced scoring throughout the lineup. All four lines have been contributing to Boston’s offensive attack. And the third line of Elias Lindholm centering Casey Mittelstadt and James Hagens has been quite an effective trio.
Coming into this season, there was a lot of pressure on Lindholm to perform. Entering the third year of his contract, his play has not been as consistent or impactful as the Bruins or their fans would have wanted.
While valuable on the penalty kill and at the faceoff circle, Lindholm has not been as productive in the playmaking or goal-scoring department. But as the Bruins ‘ third line center, he has rekindled the offensive touch from earlier in his career.
Skating in all 15 games so far for Boston, Lindholm has been consistently picking up points. He has potted five goals and dished out seven helpers. And his value to Boston was on full display on Halloween afternoon. After Morgan Geekie ripped home the game-tying goal near the end of regulation, the Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks required three-on-three overtime to determine who grabbed the extra point.
In the extra session, Charlie McAvoy delivered a phenomenal breakout feed to Lindholm. The centerman protected the puck from Oliver Moore and drove into the edge of the blue paint. Lindholm then pulled off a slick stickhandling maneuver to bury the puck past Arvid Soderblom and into the back of the net.
TD Garden erupted into a state of delirium. And nobody in the building had a bigger smile on their face than Lindholm. The celebration was one of pure jubilation.
It was refreshing to see such a reaction from Lindholm. It is no secret that his time in Boston has not gone as he would have liked. But the emotion poured out after he potted the game-winning score.
And he has been a valuable piece of the Bruins lineup so far this season. Lindholm centering Mittelstadt and Hagens has helped build a balanced attack for Boston.
The line is creating strong chemistry, using open ice to their advantage, winning battles along the boards, connecting on passes, and finding the back of the net. And Lindholm has been a massive part of the trio’s play.
With his skills at the faceoff dot, hockey IQ, and ability to impact the game in all three zones, Sturm trusts the line to be out there in all situations. Lindholm has relished this opportunity, and Boston is a much more complete team because of it.
While his contract will always be a part of the conversation related to Lindholm’s time in Boston, the center is filling out a much-needed role on the Bruins’ third line. Time will tell whether he continues to perform this well and stays in this role. But Lindholm has been a key contributor so far this season, and he will need to keep up this level of play for the Bruins to enjoy a successful campaign.
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