The Bruins’ overtime plan was the same as it always is. Mark Kastelic takes the opening faceoff, wins the all-important draw and heads off the ice, to be replaced by a player presumed to have more offensive chops.

If he loses the draw? Well, things get a little complicated. Without possession, Kastelic can’t automatically go for the change.

That’s what happened on Tuesday night. But Kastelic made it work to the Bruins’ favor and, thanks to a heads up by the rugged forward, the B’s took both points in their 2-1 OT win over the Los Angeles Kings.

On the winning play, Kastelic pounced on a loose puck next to goalie Jeremy Swayman, circled behind his net and made a long pass to the Kings’ blue line and David Pastrnak, who in turned relayed it to Charlie McAvoy for the game-winning goal.

All’s well that ends well?

“It’s a tricky one now. I created that mess. Now he’s going to lose it for sure, so he can stay out there,” joked coach Marco Sturm on Wednesday. “No, I still want him to change. But things happen. But it’s not like I’m in a panic mode. I think any time there’s a 3-on-3 overtime, if you can skate I’m fine with it. And he’s a guy who can skate. Is he skilled like Pasta? No, but at least he can skate. And he can defend. So I’m glad it worked out. He was a big part of that goal.”

Kastelic pointed out that he actually won the draw and that it hit a leg, either his or the official’s and Quinton Byfield was able to get the loose puck to a teammate. The NHL’s play-by-play backs him. Even when the puck didn’t cooperate with him, Kastelic dove to get it back, to no avail.

“I treat those faceoffs like life or death, honestly,” he said.

But with the puck in the Kings’ possession, he wasn’t looking for a quick escape hatch.

“I felt like I had the confidence in that situation, even if I lose it I still know what I’m doing out there,” said Kastelic. “I take a lot of pride in the defensive part of my game so I think that’s an area I can thrive in. So even if that play didn’t happen, per se, but eventually to be able to get possession and then change, I feel like I’d be doing my job. Chipping in offensively in that situation is just a cherry on top. Win or lose, I feel confident in that situation with the way the game was going. I was feeling pretty good. I guess in that case, it paid off to lose the draw.”

The 6-4, 235-pound Kastelic has enjoyed his most impactful season as an NHLer. He and Tanner Jeannot have made up a line that has had two slightly different identities. Earlier this year, the brawny Kastelic and Jeannot helped to birth young Fraser Minten into being a regular NHL centerman, granting him the space to gain confidence and become the playmaker he has become.

After Minten was utilized in more offensive roles, Sean Kuraly was put between the wingers to create a highly effective, physical fourth line. That trio has been pivotal in making GM Don Sweeney’s bottom-up retool work, at least to this point.

For Sturm, who did not know much about Kastelic, the Arizona native has been a pleasant surprise. Last year, his first with the B’s, Kastelic’s combination of speed, physicality and belligerence earned him a three-year contract extension worth $1.56 million per season. But a concussion he suffered in Tampa on Jan. 9, 2025 knocked him out of the lineup and hampered his effectiveness after that.

This season, it took a little while for Sturm to see what Kastelic can offer.

“I think everyone thought there would be more in him but (I was) still not sure. His preseason was just OK,” said Sturm. “But then, for some reason, in Game 1 in Washington, he was all in. Since then he’s been great. He’s played third line for me, he’s killing, he’s taking faceoffs any time it’s on the right side, OT faceoffs. There’s more and more, and that’s why. He’s done more than I expected.”

Kastelic is not afraid to earn his ice time.

“Marco’s been very fair. I think he’s such a fair coach. If you’re playing well, he’s going to play you, no matter what line you’re on or what position you’re in. And I love that. I think it’s fair and it’s honest,” said Kastelic. “But I think this year I’ve been able to grow and expand my role a little bit. I have a lot of good chemistry with Tanner, Sean, Fraser, just whoever we’re playing with. I’m just trying to continue to build in the penalty kill and those areas of my game. It’s just fun to continue to grow as a player. I still feel like I have a lot of ceiling left personally in all areas of my game and that’s what excites me.”

Kastelic, who turned 27 on Wednesday, has set career highs in goals (nine) and points (18). Hitting double digits in goals for the first time would surely be nice for him, but it’s not a focus.

“I try not to think about numbers too much. I’d just rather get better every day and hopefully in the long run it will pay off,” he said. “I’m not trying to sell myself short in any area of my game and be able to work on things offensively and hope to get to an area where I feel I know I’m capable of and done in the past. It comes with confidence and time and putting in the extra work, getting extra touches.”

While numbers don’t motivate him, big moments like the one on Tuesday clearly do.

“It could be his birthday or it could be the OT. But they were telling me he was in an awesome mood. I could tell after the game, he was like chest out,” said Sturm with a wide grin. “These guys work so hard, the Jeannots, the Kuralys and they don’t always show up on the scoresheet and that’s why they sometimes get frustrated. But a moment like this (Tuesday), that helps. And good for Kasty.”

McAvoy OK

The B’s did not practice on Wednesday with only the scratches from Tuesday hitting the ice. Sturm said that McAvoy, who was scheduled for some dental work after losing some more teeth in the second period on Tuesday, was going to fine.

Coming back to score the game-winner certainly resonated with his teammates.

“He’s been pretty inspirational to see what he’s gone through and just the adversity that he’s faced and the resilience he’s had. It hasn’t been an easy year for him by any means,” said Kastelic. “I feel like everyone’s trying to take pride in following his footsteps and hopefully his mouth’s OK. I’m sure he’s probably hurting. I think that’s got to be the worst thing, dental work, out of all the injuries, just for the pain it causes and the hassles. And just for him to continue to get back out there and win that game for us was just huge. We’re all behind him in trying to play for each other here.”