BOSTON — As he raced to the right wing boards, just inside the blue line, Bruins forward Mark Kastelic was trying to think like he’d want a defenseman to.
“I just happened to be back there,” the fourth-line winger said. “As a forward I love it when the D get it through to the net. Good things happen. That’s just what I tried to do.”
So he launched a rising wrist shot toward the crease, hoping to perhaps give Sean Kuraly an opportunity for a tip. But his shot splashed off of Conor Timmins’ keister. That created enough backside-backspin that when it hit Alex Lyon’s stick, which was several inches off the ice, it skidded down and then between the goalies skates into the net.
The goal gave the Bruins a 2-0 lead and provided the eventual difference in Saturday’s 3-1 win that improved Boston to 3-0-0 to open the season.
A three-game winning streak feels good for any team at any time in any season. But after last year’s season-long struggles, the players have an added appreciation when good play and good bounces lead to victories.
“The energy in here right now is amazing,” Kastelic said. “It’s a great room to come into every day from the staff down to the boys. Everybody comes to the rink with a smile, hungry to work and get better every day.”
The Bruins have opened the 2025-26 season with three wins in four days under new coach Marco Sturm after finishing 2024-25 with just three wins in their last 34 days (3-11-2).
“We’ve been building since day one of training camp. We have Marco and we’re excited for a fresh start,” said goalie Jeremy Swayman, whose play has been part of the team’s success. “It’s really fun to be a part of it. We have a lot of new faces that have been really important for us. That’s the most exciting thing, starting fresh and seeing them have a seamless transition.”
Sturm has brought a new system and new energy. He wasn’t around for last year’s woes, but can still appreciate the turnaround.
“It always helps when you win,” he said. “Guys are buying in. It’s fun to be around those guys. They care. They buy in and they want to get better. Everyone is excited to play. Everyone works. We’re a family. That’s what a family does. We support each other.
“That’s the identity. That’s what we want to have. It’s fun playing that way,” Sturm added. “They all buy in. Today was a good example of how we want to play.”
Members of all four lines have at least one goal already. The Bruins have had strong goaltending all three nights and have killed all 11 opponent power plays through three games.
“Everybody is on the same page,” Kastelic said. “We’re on our toes and we’re aggressive.”
Despite limited practice time, Sturm said the players have improved since the first game as they’ve grown more confident in his system.
“We had a decent preseason, but I knew we still had work to do. But these guys came out on fire at Wash right away and that carried over,” he said. “(They’re) a little bit more calm with the puck. There were times (earlier) when they were rushing it and just throwing it somewhere. Now they actually try to make plays starting with our breakouts. Structure-wise, they know when to go and when not. Everyone is chipping in. Everyone is excited to go out there. That makes a big difference.”
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