WILMINGTON — On a team that boasts David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron as its top two centers, any line centered by anyone else has to be labeled as the third or fourth line.

Such has been the case with pretty much every trio Chris Kelly has centered since he came to Boston. And even with Carl Soderberg shifting to center since just before the Olympics break, the unit is still the third line.

Coach Claude Julien, however, is all for confusing communication when it comes to the group of Kelly, Soderberg and Loui Eriksson.

“You know, when I look at that line right now, I’m going to tell you we don’t have a third line,” Julien said yesterday after practice at Ristuccia Arena. “We have three top lines. That’s the way I look at it, you know. That third line has been as good as the first and second, if you name them that way.”

The Bruins, who expect three-zone play and offense from all four of their lines, are at their best when it’s difficult to fit their forward groups into a tidy depth chart. The four-line attack has been a major reason the B’s carry a season-high seven-game winning streak into their game against the Carolina Hurricanes today at the Garden.

About a month ago, though, the Bruins were one line short. Injuries had wreaked havoc on Eriksson, Soderberg and Kelly, and Reilly Smith’s hot hand earned him a spot next to Bergeron and Brad Marchand. Eriksson, Kelly and Soderberg then got a better feel for each other once they were all healthy.

And then Soderberg shifted to his natural position at center, where he can better get his legs moving and build up a head of steam. That group’s been the best “third line” since the trio of Michael Ryder, Kelly and Rich Peverley starred on the Stanley Cup championship team in 2011.

“Yeah, we fit great together,” said Soderberg, who had a four-game point streak snapped Thursday. “Three skilled players and we work hard, and strong players, too, so we can get the puck deep and protect the puck and just manage it.”

In the past 10 games, that line has 21 points. There’s not a sniper in the bunch, but they’ve earned their goals with net-front presence and a heavy forecheck. So unlike Kelly’s line from 2011, his current group didn’t wait until the postseason to assert itself physically. That style creates chances and grinds down opponents to make openings for other lines as well.

“Yeah, I think we’re doing a good job on the forecheck reading off one another and turning pucks over and holding on to plays,” Kelly said. “I think we’re trying to support one another in the offensive zone and make those short plays and create space for one another, which has been good.”

There will be no shame in being a third line if it helps produce a result like the one the Bruins did three years ago.

Bruins notes

Forward Daniel Paille, out since he suffered a concussion last Sunday against Florida, skated again yesterday and took some contact. He’s hopeful he’ll be cleared to play today. . . .

The Bruins summoned forward Matt Lindblad from Providence. Lindblad has yet to play in an NHL game.

“We want to give him that opportunity to be seen as well,” said Julien. “So at one point, more than likely (today), he may be in the lineup.”

Should Lindblad and Paille play today, Julien might scratch Shawn Thornton in addition to Jordan Caron.