Mark Kastelic’s Subtle Impact Speaks Volumes in Bruins’ Resurgence
BOSTON - You don’t usually see a third-line winger taking the opening faceoff in overtime. But then again, Mark Kastelic isn’t your usual third-liner.
Kastelic has quietly become one of the Boston Bruins’ most trusted specialists, winning 58.3 percent of his faceoffs - the best mark on the team. That stat alone has earned him a unique niche: he’s become the Bruins’ go-to man to start three-on-three overtime. It’s not flashy, but it’s strategic - and it’s working.
Head coach Marco Sturm has called Kastelic’s number in each of Boston’s last three overtime games. The plan is simple: win the draw, control possession, and get off the ice for a more offensively-inclined teammate.
Kastelic has delivered, winning two of those three draws, including a crucial one against Detroit’s Dylan Larkin on Saturday. It’s a small moment in the game, but it carries big weight - and Kastelic knows it.
“I feel like I have a role,” Kastelic said after the Bruins edged out the Red Wings 3-2 in a shootout. “Little moments like that - I take a lot of pride in.
It’s great to feel the trust from the coaching staff. It’s a small thing, but the guys hype me up so much for it.”
That kind of buy-in is exactly what Sturm wants from his role players, and Kastelic has responded by carving out more ice time across the board. After averaging 10:44 per game last season, he’s now up to 13:43 - a career high.
He’s also logging 2:20 per night on the penalty kill, another personal best. For a player known more for grit than goals, those are meaningful minutes.
And it’s not just about faceoffs or PK time. Kastelic brings a physical edge - just ask Moritz Seider, who found himself on the wrong end of a first-period hit. That kind of tone-setting play doesn’t go unnoticed, especially in a lineup missing some of its biggest names.
“He’s already waiting for it,” Sturm said with a grin about Kastelic’s overtime assignment. “That’s the best part.
We talked about it and he’s like, ‘Yeah, that’s my job. I want to do that.’
As soon as OT hits, I can see him looking.”
It might seem like a minor coaching move, but for Kastelic, it’s a sign of belonging - and a reward for his team-first mentality. Whether it’s blocking shots, standing up for a teammate, or simply grinding out a shift, Kastelic doesn’t need a spotlight to make an impact. But when a coach shows that kind of trust, you better believe he’s going to deliver.
And right now, that mentality is permeating the Bruins’ locker room - even with a roster that’s missing Viktor Arvidsson, Matej Blumel, Jordan Harris, Henri Jokiharju, Charlie McAvoy, and David Pastrnak.
“When we play our system, it doesn’t really matter who we have in the lineup,” Kastelic said. “Everybody can play that way.
I don’t think it’s very fun to play against for the other team. When we play with a lot of structure, it really limits their chances.”
That structure - and the buy-in that comes with it - is a big reason why the Bruins sit second in the Atlantic Division. Yes, Jeremy Swayman’s goaltending has been a major factor.
But this is also about a team identity taking shape under Sturm’s watch. His defense-first philosophy, paired with GM Don Sweeney’s roster construction, has come together faster than most expected.
“They’ve taken on his identity as a person and as a coach,” said Red Wings coach Todd McLellan, who worked with Sturm in Los Angeles. “You can see they’ve bought into his belief system.
There’s nothing tricked-out about their game. They just play hard for a full 60 minutes.
If you’re not ready to match that, they’ll get the better of you at some point.”
The Bruins’ quick turnaround - from a bottom-five team to a playoff contender - has even raised expectations at TD Garden. When the team returned home from a tough four-game road trip and dropped a 6-2 decision to the Rangers, the boos came out. It wasn’t just disappointment - it was a sign that fans believe this team should be better.
“I’m very pleased with the first 30 games,” Sturm said. “Sometimes I think we spoiled everyone too much because we went too fast.
Games like the other night - that’s going to happen. But I know who we are.
We want to be consistent.”
That consistency is being built from the bottom up. Kastelic, acquired in the Linus Ullmark trade with Ottawa, has become a reliable third-liner.
Tanner Jeannot, another physical presence, has also stepped up - increasing his average ice time from 11:01 last year with the Kings to 13:44 this season. Together, they form the muscle of Sturm’s forecheck - a pair of wrecking balls with just enough skill to keep defenses honest.
Meanwhile, other recent additions are playing their roles to expectation. Mikey Eyssimont, Sean Kuraly, Alex Steeves, and Jeffrey Viel are giving the Bruins depth and energy.
Jonathan Aspirot, a newcomer to the NHL, is playing like he’s been here for years. Fraser Minten is developing quickly.
Marat Khusnutdinov and Nikita Zadorov are both taking meaningful steps forward.
And then there’s Morgan Geekie - arguably the crown jewel of Sweeney’s recent moves. Signed to a six-year, $33 million extension, Geekie is not just outperforming his contract - he’s keeping pace with Nathan MacKinnon in the goal-scoring race.
All this at less than half the price. He’s no longer just a complementary piece or a shooting-percentage anomaly.
With Pastrnak and McAvoy sidelined, Geekie has become the Bruins’ offensive engine.
“Sometimes it doesn’t look too sexy, the way we play, because we have a lot of guys out,” Sturm said. “We don’t have too many high-end scorers.
Geeks, sometimes he takes it personally. He wants to be the guy.”
There are still blemishes. The Bruins rank 10th in the East in points percentage and sit 11th in goal differential. But they’re in the fight - and they’re in it earlier than anyone expected.
That’s not just about stars or systems. It’s about players like Kastelic, who embrace the grind, win the little battles, and give their team a chance to win the big ones.