Casey Mittelstadt scored his 200th and 201st NHL points in his 200th consecutive game Friday night against the Anaheim Ducks. No active player on the Avalanche has a longer run and his ironman is 16th in the NHL.
The 25-year-old forward said he was unaware of his 200th consecutive game. Being on a team that has suffered so many injuries the past two seasons, it is a positive milestone to accomplish and recognize.
“Honestly, I didn’t even know so obviously it’s good. You want to be available and able to play. So, maybe means whatever the plan is working so try to stick with it, I guess. But yeah, other than that, just keep trying to play. And I love to play, so definitely want to be in the lineup,” Mittelstadt said.
The Eden Prairie, Minnesota native did know his next point was No. 200 — after someone told him. While it was a career highlight, the struggle to get a win was more pressing and his contribution was more important.
“Yeah it’s nice. I think, probably pretty fitting — going to the backhand on a breakaway, feels like something I’ve done before. So, yeah, it’s crazy how it seems to kind of be a fitting point. I thought it was a big time to score for the team, and, you know, try to get the boys going, so that was more important,” Mittelstadt said.
While everyone is focused on Ross Colton’s early success so far this season, Mittelstadt has been playing well too. He has five points in six games and scored a goal in each of the first three games.
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“Where I’ve been playing and opportunity that’s been given, I think I’ve had a lot of chances, so I’d like to score more. So let’s keep it going,” Mittelstadt said.
The young forward said he doesn’t have a particular routine that has kept him healthy to play in 200 consecutive games but doesn’t plan on changing anything either.
“Just try to take care of yourself. I sleep a lot, eat pretty healthy, and try to be in the gym and maintain. And if something comes up, get on it right away. I don’t really think there’s a secret, just try to do the right thing,” he said.
Head coach Jared Bednar has had to shift lines around with top players out so Mittelstadt has had to adjust to a few different linemates. But one combination has stood out for Colorado’s coach.
“I didn’t mind Mitty (Mittelstadt) and OC (Logan O’Connor) and (Nikolai) Kovalenko. I thought that was a pretty good line for us … We’re limited with some options here, trying to find lines that you like, while still being able to have three to four lines that can go that you can trust, right?” Bednar said. “So it’s a bit of a challenge. So we’re evaluating during the game too, and to see how they’re doing against some of the other lines that we’re playing. So we may have to bounce guys around a little bit.”
Mittelstadt has great vision on the ice and has regularly been a playmaker for whoever is on his line. Artturi Lehkonen and he developed some chemistry last season so hopefully they will reconnect when the Finn returns from injury.