There were definite signs of top-6 optimism with power play goals for David Pastrnak and Charlie Coyle in a road victory, but there’s also no mistaking the fact that the fourth line once again carried the day for the Boston Bruins.
Perhaps it’s time for them to no longer even be labeled as the fourth line given how well they’ve been playing, but they are also a trio in search of a line nickname that’s sure to come if they keep going this way.
Cole Koepke and Johnny Beecher scored goals in the 5-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena on Wednesday night, and Boston’s incredibly effective energy line was on the ice for all three 5-on-5 scores in the victory. It’s a credit to their work that they were there on the ice in the closing minutes with the Avs goalie pulled when Beecher stole a puck in the neutral zone, and then promptly dumped it into the net for the empty net score.
The reason the fourth line was in that big-time spot was because they not only have been Boston’s best forward line in the opening weeks, but they have been one of the best lines in the NHL to this point.
“I think we’ve got to stop calling them the fourth line. It’s impressive the way they’re playing, and they are earning all the ice time they are getting,” said Jim Montgomery. “Their details, their work ethic and their puck support of each other offensively and defensively has really allowed them to have success.
“I’ve always been a coach where if you go out and play the right way, and if you’re showing effort and execution, then you’re going to get rewarded with ice time.”
Mark Kastelic (two goals, five points), Koepke (two goals, five points) and Johnny Beecher (two goals, five points) have all been point-per-game players in the early going for the Black and Gold and have combined for a gaudy plus-26 thus far while thoroughly dominating the players they’ve been out on the ice against. They play fast, they very willingly crash the net in order to create the offense that comes out of offensive zone chaos, and they skate with the kind of reckless, physical abandon that breeds success these days at the NHL level.
The B’s energy line was good throughout the game and, of course, right in the middle of when the contest was won scoring 13 seconds after a Bruins power play goal to really put things out of reach in the second period. The goal was scored by defenseman Hampus Lindholm, but it was a result of the B’s fourth line paying attention to the small details and getting those important things right.
“It’s part of the identity of the Kasterlic line,” said Montgomery. “Their job, and I told them this before the season started, is to get the momentum back or to keep the momentum going [after a goal is scored].”
"That whole line's been amazing for us. They're the hardest workers out there, and they earn everything they get."
— NESN (@NESN) October 17, 2024
Hampus Lindholm on the effort from the 4th line#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/Elqfy5ax9Z
It’s not really surprising the fourth line has been better than the last few seasons after they invested in it with the Linus Ullmark trade, as well as a number of free agent signings including Koepke, Max Jones and Riley Tufte designed to uncover a veteran player that could be an impactful bottom-6 forward. All three are still on the NHL roster, of course, but Koepke is cementing a role with the Black and Gold while Tufte and Jones are searching a bit for a foothold on the NHL roster.
The sheer level of offensive production for the fourth line in the early going is definitely surprising as it’s been entirely welcome with slower offensive starts from guys like Brad Marchand, Pavel Zacha, Morgan Geekie and Coyle. But it’s getting less surprising with each passing game as they keep putting together strong, consistent work at both ends of the ice.
Koepke, in particular, has been a nice find for the Bruins after he seemed to be buried a bit in the Tampa Bay Lightning organization prior to signing on with the Black and Gold. The 26-year-old had just three points in 26 games played for the Lightning over the last couple of seasons but has already surpassed that in just a handful of games with Boston this season.
It’s a tribute to a pro scouting staff with the Bruins that continues to find hidden gems like Parker Wotherspoon, Justin Brazeau and now Koepke in other NHL organizations that can flourish with a change to Boston scenery. With the Bruins trading away a good deal of their draft assets in order to make annual roster improvements at the NHL trade deadline, it’s vital that the Bruins hit on these kinds of free agents along with successful signings of undrafted NHL talent as well.
Over the last handful of seasons, the Bruins have been very good in both areas while strongly supplementing their homegrown prospect pool.
“The style of play and the way the coaching staff and the team has welcomed me in and helped me get up to speed and allowed me to play with confidence and play to my strengths,” said Koepke. “I’ve loved every minute of it.”
The question now becomes really how good can this fourth line be and whether they can maintain a consistent level of impact over a long NHL regular season where none of these players have posted anything approaching significant NHL numbers in the past. Kasterlic, Koepke and Beecher are earning that chance now with their play in the early season, and now it’s just a matter of keeping it going for a Black and Gold club that badly needed this kind of fourth line play from their forward group.
To this point, Kasterlic, Beecher and Koepke have shown no signs of slowing down and they’re getting the love from the coaching staff as a result of that.