Bruins notebook: Casey Mittelstadt returns to first NHL home in playoff opener

Mittelstadt Returns to Buffalo in Playoff Spotlight

Casey Mittelstadt is no stranger to facing his former team, the Buffalo Sabres. Having been traded away two years ago at the deadline, he’s had a few matchups since. However, the atmosphere surrounding his upcoming game against the Sabres is something he anticipates will be unlike anything he experienced during his six-plus seasons in Buffalo. The Bruins are set to face the Sabres in what marks Buffalo’s first postseason appearance in 15 years.

“I’m expecting pretty much bedlam,” Mittelstadt commented after the Bruins’ morning skate on Sunday, ahead of Game 1. “I wouldn’t expect anything else. I’ve been to plenty of Bills games, so I’m guessing it’s going to be like that. It’ll be a blast. I’m excited I get to experience it.”

Mittelstadt’s sole prior taste of playoff hockey came two years ago when he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche. He performed well for the Avs, tallying 3 goals, 6 assists, for 9 points in 11 playoff games. After being re-signed by Colorado, he was then traded again at last year’s deadline for Charlie Coyle.

When asked if it felt “freaky” to be on the opposing side of the Sabres’ long-awaited playoff return, Mittelstadt acknowledged a slight novelty. “A little less freaky than it would have been a couple of years ago,” he stated. “But I think it’s cool. I loved my time here and I’ve probably cheered for them a bit. I’ve got a lot of friends, especially the staff who have been here for so long. I’m happy for them. But I’m on the other side of it now, so I’m definitely not cheering for them this series. It’s going to be fun. Obviously, friendships go on hold, and this is the most important thing right now, so let’s go have some fun.”

Mittelstadt’s initial 18 games as a Bruin after last year’s deadline were not particularly inspiring. He registered 4 goals, 2 assists, for 6 points and a concerning minus-17 rating. The early part of this season also presented some challenges under new coach Marco Sturm. However, following a “wake-up call” scratch in Utah in October and a subsequent move from center to wing, Mittelstadt, alongside linemates Pavel Zacha and Viktor Arvidsson, has blossomed into the Bruins’ most consistent and impactful forward line.

Sturm Praises Mittelstadt’s Resurgence

Coach Marco Sturm expressed his satisfaction with Mittelstadt’s transformation. “I’m really pleased and happy the way it worked out,” Sturm said. “I remember him from the Buffalo days, actually. I don’t know what happened after that. But there’s a lot of question marks, I feel like, could be from media or anywhere else, about his game and his performance. But I can tell you this, he’s been excellent with me. We maybe had a tough start, but after that, he really took off. That line took off. So, I’m really pleased with his game and where he’s at right now.”

Sturm highlighted the benefit of allowing Mittelstadt’s line to develop chemistry. “When you come to a new place, it can be hard. I’ve learned the challenges of that. The one thing that was nice for me this year, we’ve consistently played together since the first game of the year,” Mittelstadt explained. “We’ve had time to build some chemistry and find that comfort. I was here for a long time and I didn’t know anything different, and it’s hard to start over. It’s a very welcoming group (in Boston), and it’s been a lot of fun. I’m very happy with where I am.”

Mittelstadt concluded the regular season with an impressive 15 goals, 27 assists, for 42 points and a plus-12 rating in 71 games. Notably, one of his goals came against his former team in a significant Bruins victory. He beat former teammate Rasmus Dahlin to a loose puck and scored the tying goal in the Bruins’ 4-3 overtime win on March 25th.

“We had pretty good banter during the game, to be honest. That one felt pretty good, honestly, on Ras,” Mittelstadt recalled with a grin. “A lot of years going back with him; we’ve had a lot of ridiculous arguments, so that one was fun for sure.”

Sturm’s Bold Assessment and Ruff’s Historical Perspective

Coach Sturm’s recent comments about the Bruins’ physical superiority over the Sabres generated considerable discussion in Western New York. “A lot of teams are afraid of us,” he had stated previously. Sturm defended his assessment as a logical conclusion drawn from observation.

“Somebody had fun with it, so I’m glad that happened,” Sturm remarked with his characteristic broad smile. “At the end of the day, nobody’s looking as closely as I do. I watched the last four games when we played them, and it was very clear to see. When we were on top of our game and when we are hard on pucks, when we are physical, we have a chance. And if we decide to play their way, we might as well stay at home. Because they’re that good. If you’re a Boston Bruin, you have to play that way. And if not, it’s going to be a long (game) because they skate well enough, they’re skilled enough, they have 108 points for a reason.”

Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff is intimately familiar with the Bruins-Sabres rivalry, having played in it during the 1980s and coached in several playoff series against them. He acknowledges that the nature of the rivalry has evolved.

“Back then, I had a hard time sleeping during the day when we knew that night was going to be one of those nights when you feared for your life sometimes,” Ruff said. “The game is different. Intimidation was a huge part of the game back then. Fighting was a big part of the game. Every team had four or five guys who could take care of almost anybody. Those series we had with the Bruins are a good example of it. But the game is in a lot better place. But we still saw a fight off the opening faceoff (Saturday in the Ottawa-Carolina series). We’ve had a couple of games this year where we’ve had a number of fights inside the game. Playoffs is a time you can expect out of the normal, and there could be some of that.”

Ruff also shared a lighthearted anecdote about his past encounters with Bruins team president Cam Neely. “I think I still try to avoid him, actually,” Ruff joked. “Cam’s a hell of a guy, and all that was part of the game. I think my first fight with him, he was still in Vancouver at the time, maybe his first or second. I think he was one of the toughest two-way players to play the game.”

In his playoff debut, James Hagens logged 11:02 of ice time. His single shot on goal came late in the third period when the Bruins held a 2-1 lead. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen managed to make the save with his arm.

Nikita Zadorov led the Bruins with six hits in the game.