BOSTON \u2014 Mark Kastelic is the Boston Bruins\u2019 best faceoff man, winning 58.3 percent of his draws. This has turned Kastelic into a singular type of faceoff specialist: drop man to start overtime.<\/p>\n
Kastelic, the No. 3 right wing, is tied for 11th in team scoring (4-4\u20148). Coaches do not usually deploy such forwards during three-on-three overtime. They ride their best offensive players, the ones with the quickest feet and softest hands.<\/p>\n
But for the Bruins\u2019 last three overtime games, Marco Sturm has told Kastelic to take the opening faceoff. If he gains possession, he changes for a more offensive teammate. He has won two of his last three, including on Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings\u2019 Dylan Larkin.<\/p>\n
Kastelic takes this job seriously.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like I have a role and little moments like that where I feel like I take a lot of pride in personally,\u201d Kastelic said after the 3-2 shootout win over the Red Wings. \u201cIt\u2019s great to feel the trust from the coaching staff to get put in those big moments. It\u2019s been pretty cool to go out there. Guys on the team, it\u2019s such a little thing, but they hype me up so much.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kastelic averaged 10:44 of ice time per game last season. He played a total of 15:01 on the penalty kill in 61 games for ex-coaches Jim Montgomery and Joe Sacco.<\/p>\n
This year, he\u2019s up to 13:43 per game. He is averaging 2:20 on the PK per appearance. Both are career highs. The straight-line forward has earned Sturm\u2019s trust, and not just for dropping Moritz Seider in the first period.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s already waiting for it,\u201d a smiling Sturm said of Kastelic\u2019s OT assignment. \u201cThat\u2019s the best part. Talked to him about it, and he\u2019s like, \u2018Yeah, that\u2019s my job. I want to do that.\u2019 As soon as it\u2019s OT, I can see him looking.\u201d<\/p>\n
It may seem like a coach\u2019s minor decision. But it has major implications for Kastelic. It gives him an extra layer of belonging.<\/p>\n
The blue-collar Kastelic needs no urging to execute team-first actions, whether it\u2019s standing up for a teammate or blocking a shot. But when a coach shows his faith, a grinder like Kastelic will do whatever it takes to help the team win, especially when it\u2019s short-staffed<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we play our system, it doesn\u2019t really matter who we have in the lineup,\u201d said Kastelic of a roster currently missing Viktor Arvidsson, Matej Blumel, Jordan Harris, Henri Jokiharju, Charlie McAvoy and David Pastrnak. \u201cEverybody can play that way. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s very fun to play against for the other team. When we play with a lot of structure, it really limits their chances.\u201d<\/p>\n