After his recent performances playing alongside David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha, Danton Heinen is making a case for locking down a permanent spot in the top six with one month left in the regular season.

Around the trade deadline, speculation surrounded the Boston Bruins: Would they trade for a top six forward to bolster the offense? David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha and Jake DeBrusk have been locked into the top six all season, and one more piece to join them would solidify their offensive core ahead of the playoffs.

The Bruins didn’t bring in a top-level forward at the deadline, but they may have found the missing piece anyway: Danton Heinen.

There’s plenty of time for change before the postseason, but the 28-year-old forward has spent multiple games skating alongside Zacha and Pastrnak with better results every time. Heinen scored Boston’s only regulation goal in Thursday’s 2-1 overtime win against the Montreal Canadiens, rebounding Pastrnak’s shot while falling to the ground at 4:49 of the first period.

“I think it’s getting better as we get a little more time together,” Heinen told reporters in Montreal after the game. “I think we had a few good shifts there [in the] O-zone. Those guys are so good with the puck and I was trying to get it in their hands and try to be at the net, but I think we’re just trying to build.”

In 10:25 of 5-on-5 time on the ice together, the Heinen-Zacha-Pastrnak line had a 63.64 Corsi For Percentage (14-8) against Montreal, according to Natural Stat Trick. They were on the ice for Nick Suzuki’s tying goal in addition to contributing the opening tally, but they generated twice as many scoring chances (8-4) and won all six offensive zone face-offs.

On Tuesday, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery mentioned he’s kept the line together while the team was winning, but cited them getting scored against in Monday’s 5-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues as a potential reason for splitting them up. He ultimately kept them together, and while they were on the ice for Suzuki’s goal, that was more a result of Montreal gaining momentum in the offensive zone before eventually capitalizing on a Brandon Carlo turnover.

Still, Montgomery appreciates what Heinen brings to the table and the chemistry he's building with Zacha and Pastrnak.

“I’ve had him before. I know he’s a good hockey player,” Montgomery told reporters in Montreal after the game. “I know that he complements people. He’s a real intelligent player that can play all 200 feet, so he’s done a nice job, whether we use him on the fourth line, the second line. He’s done a good job of helping his teammates and supporting them.”

It’s an unlikely path for Heinen, who started the season on a Professional Tryout Agreement (PTO) before signing a one-year minimum contract at the end of October. Since then, he quickly picked up a month-long hot streak where he scored nine points (four goals, five assists) in 13 games from mid-November to mid-December, and he’s been similarly productive as of late with two goals and seven points in his last 12 games.

But as Montgomery mentioned, his value comes from more than just scoring. In fact, paired with Zacha and Pastrnak, Heinen acknowledged he’s focused more on his defensive responsibility. He lets the other two drive the offensive side of the game while positioning himself for support or grabbing a rebound, just as he did against Montreal.

After everything Heinen has fought through since the summer, he may have finally found his place in the Bruins lineup. Knowing Montgomery, Heinen may find himself with a new set of line mates in the near future, but so far his connection with Zacha and Pastrnak has led to great results. And he knows it.

“It’s always great to have a coach that believes in you,” Heinen said. “I always believed in myself but it’s just a fun group to be a part of, and it’s nice to hear.”

Other Links:

How Bruins' Blowout Loss to Blues Differed From Others

Bruins Recall Hoping Second Time’s the Charm

‘Definitely Feel Super Honored’: James van Riemsdyk Reflects On 1000 NHL Games