Fraser Minten is starting to produce for the Bruins

As the Bruins tried to erase a one-goal deficit for the third time, Minten received a promotion to a top line with David Pastrnak and Khusnutdinov.

Minten’s meat-and-potatoes approach was needed for a forward corps that was starting to put the Islanders on the ropes.

“His jump, his speed through the middle — he’s kind of picked it up for a while now. So that’s why, that was one of the things,” Sturm said of Minten Wednesday at Warrior Arena. “I’m like, ‘OK, maybe I’m going to help Pasta, too, with a little bit more directness.’ ”

Sturm’s trust in his younger players paid off. Much like how Khusnutdinov made the most of his reps with a tying goal and the shootout winner, Minten helped orchestrate his linemate’s third-period tally by hounding the puck in the offensive zone.

It was Minten’s shot from the slot after a frantic shift that generated the rebound that Khusnutdinov tucked home — knotting the score at 3 and allowing the Bruins to scrape together a 4-3 victory.

“It’s good that Marco wants me out there at the end of a game where we need a goal,” Minten said Wednesday. “I think it’s an area of my game where I want to contribute. I’m not always going to be the guy who’s out there for that, but it was nice to be out there yesterday and have them be successful.”

Minten’s elevation might have been an in-game tweak as Sturm searched for offense. But after cashing in on a goal through just 2:13 of five-on-five ice time together, Sturm said that he could feature that line again.

“Sometimes, it’s my gut,” Sturm said. “But to tell you the truth, I knew that was coming. I just didn’t know it was that early. Could we see it again? Absolutely.”

A top-six promotion would be the latest leap for Minten over the last few weeks.

A sound two-way game helped stamp his spot in the opening-night lineup after an encouraging preseason. But the Vancouver native saw his ice time fluctuate as the man in the middle of the third line.

The expected growing pains that come with a player’s first full season in the NHL manifested into a team-low 7:07 and 9:40 of ice time against the Panthers (Oct. 21) and Avalanche (Oct. 25), respectively.

Minten had managed to dodge being a healthy scratch. But his game stalled, including an eight-game scoreless drought.

For Sturm, Minten’s struggles had more to do with the expected adjustments to the NHL, rather than a dip in confidence or poise. It’s a hurdle only cleared with more reps.

“He had to learn how to play in this league,” Sturm said. “Yes, he played some games last year, but he came out really, really hot, and then he kind of slowed down for a little bit. But I think he was just kind of processing everything.

“What’s going on here? How do I have to play? When to go? When not? And now he slowly gets it. The way he has to play and on top of it — his speed, his motor, has been really, really good.”

Over his last five games, Minten has averaged more than 15 minutes of ice time, contributing one goal and three assists.

After assisting on Khusnutdinov’s overtime winner against the Sabres last Thursday, Minten found more success with the 23-year-old on Tuesday.

Beyond recording the primary helper on his linemate’s equalizing goal, Minten logged a season-high 16:28 against the Islanders, while winning 50 percent of his faceoffs. His 2:27 of shorthanded ice time was third among Bruins forwards as the penalty kill went 3 for 3.

And in that 2:13 of five-on-five ice time that Khusnutdinov-Minten-Pastrnak logged against the Islanders, the Bruins held a 6-2 edge in shot attempts, to go along with that tying goal.

It remains to be seen if that line will get more opportunities Thursday night against the Senators. But regardless of where he slots in, Minten feels as though he’s starting to find his footing.

“I always try to have fun,” Minten said. “I think it’s good to have the pressure and stuff — and there always is. It’s the NHL. There’s millions of people who want your jobs, so there’s always some. But I think the more you can just enjoy and play hockey, the better you’re going to do.”

Conor Ryan can be reached at conor.ryan@globe.com.