The idea that the Bruins’ most stable, two-way line would be the combination of Casey Mittelstadt, Pavel Zacha and Viktor Arvidsson would have seemed far-fetched at the beginning of the season.

The 32-year-old Arvidsson was attempting to revive his career after injuries and a subpar season in Edmonton. With many believing the B’s would not be threat to make the playoffs, some assumed Zacha would get traded for a good bounty at the deadline. And Mittelstadt? It was anyone’s guess what the B’s would get out of him.

Two years ago, he was traded from the Buffalo Sabres to the Colorado Avalanche for the Avs’ stretch run and he played well enough that the Avs gave him a three-year extension. He had 3-6-9 totals in 11 playoff games, thus far the only Stanley Cup playoff experience he’s had. But before the next season was out, Colorado decided to dish him to the Bruins in the Charlie Coyle trade that also brought prospect Will Zellers into the Bruin fold.

It didn’t start off well for Mittelstadt here. In 18 games for the B’s down the stretch last year, he had 4-2-6 totals and was minus-17. This season, under new coach Marco Sturm, things didn’t go swimmingly at first, either. Starting the season at center, Mittelstadt struggled out of the gate was healthy scratched for an Oct. 19 game.

But now, after a move to the wing, Mittelstadt is part of one of the most reliable combos in the league. His offensive numbers (13-19-32 in 53 games) may not be overwhelming but the unit usually draws the toughest defensive matchups.

The grouping is playing so well that Sturm has resisted tinkering with it to help other lines to get going.

“Obviously these are important games and we’re at least a little bit older (than some other) guys. I think we see an opportunity and we don’t want to waste it,” said Mittelstadt after the morning skate prior to the B’s-Kings matchup at the Garden. “I’ve played a long time and I haven’t played in the playoffs much. I definitely don’t want to waste the opportunity. All three guys are playing well and are very comfortable with each other. We’ve played together for a long time, so it’s been a lot of fun.”

Mittelstadt personally has come a long way — but not beyond his own standards.

“I guess it feels good but it’s more so what I expect from myself and how I expect myself to play,” said Mittelstadt. “Obviously, it’s never linear with how it goes. You just stick with it and keep working. If you do that, things will always figure themselves out.”

The move to wing, something he’s done at points in his career and that he suggested to Sturm, has been a boon for him and the line.

“It’s been great,” said Mittlestadt. “Even as a centerman, I loved having guys on my wing who had played center. It helps out a lot, so it’s good that I can help Pav in some ways, but also I feel like I fit in with the way I play along the walls. It’s been fun to play with those guys.”

Mittelstadt, who has been hounded by high expectations throughout his career due to the Sabres selecting him with the eighth overall pick in 2017, is a bit more reserved than the average, central-casting hockey player. But now, a full year into his Bruin tenure, he’s getting settled in.

“I’m getting more comfortable,” said Mittelstadt with a smile. “It takes me a little time. I’m a little quiet but I think at this point right now I’m feeling good and having a blast with these guys. It’s a privilege to put on that sweater and to play with these guys, for sure.”

As last week’s trade deadline approached, it seemed highly unlikely that Mittelstadt, who has one more year left on his deal at $5.75 million, would be dealt, given his importance to the team and the line. But after getting dealt twice in as many years, he was glad to see it go by, just the same.

“I think with how it’s been the last couple of years, it was as little bit of a nervous time,” said Mittelstadt. “But I was definitely more comfortable this year than the past couple. I think that’s a product of how you’re playing.”

Defense to offense

Asked what he could do to get for 5-on-5 production from other lines, Sturm said it was not the O-zone that concerns him so much.

“I’m not worried about offense. I think the defense part for me is always first. That’s where some other lines need to get better. And that, automatically for me, creates offense,” said Sturm. “It’s not just other lines scoring goals. If you look at the Pittsburgh game, we need to get (back) to our net and make sure we’re not going to get scored on and play like we do at home.”

King-sized challenge

The Kings came into the Garden having helped the B’s out a little bit by beating Columbus in overtime on Monday. They also came with a new coach after they fired Jim Hiller on March 2 and hired associate coach DJ Smith as interim coach. Sturm had spent seven years in the Kings’ organization, the first four as an assistant in Los Angeles and the last three as head coach of AHL affiliate Ontario Reign.

“For me, it’s always hard for me see them struggle but also a coaching change. That means something went wrong,” said Sturm. “It’s a good group. It’s a very good organization. I had a good time there. Everyone has their struggles. So have we. That’s part of the business. But I definitely feel for the group because they’re lots of good people.”

The Kings were the opposite of the B’s – good on the road, not so much at home. They were 10-15-7 at home and 16-8-7 away from LA.