PROVIDENCE -- Underrated, maybe, but not underappreciated.

That sums up Colby Cave’s career to this point with the Providence Bruins.

"My whole life I’ve been kind of an underdog guy,’’ says Cave.

Maybe that’s changing. Cave, 23, has been the top dog for the P-Bruins in the first three weeks of the American Hockey League season. He has goals in four straight games and leads the team with five goals and seven points in six games. [...]

PROVIDENCE -- Underrated, maybe, but not underappreciated.

That sums up Colby Cave’s career to this point with the Providence Bruins.

“My whole life I’ve been kind of an underdog guy,’’ says Cave.

Maybe that’s changing. Cave, 23, has been the top dog for the P-Bruins in the first three weeks of the American Hockey League season. He has goals in four straight games and leads the team with five goals and seven points in six games.

He didn’t get much love from media or fans last summer when three of Boston’s top prospects, Jacob Forsbacka Karlsson, Trent Frederic and Jack Studnicka, were rated ahead of him as contenders for a job at center with Boston. After training camp, Studnicka returned to junior hockey and JFK and Frederic ended up back in Providence, where Cave has outplayed them in the early going.

“If you were to ask me who has been the best center for us so far, it’s Colby Cave,’’ coach Jay Leach says.

Where Cave slots in on the prospect list compared to other players isn’t something he worries about.

“You can’t think about that too much. Those kids are amazing players and amazing people and they deserve all the credit they do get from people. They’re going to be great NHL players some day. The coaching staff has done a great job here starting them off on the right foot this season,’’ he said.

Cave, who was a captain for two seasons with Swift Current in the WHL and is an assistant captain with the P-Bruins, epitomizes the 200-foot game that coaches often talk about.

“Colby’s come in with a good attitude, ready to work,’’ said assistant coach Trent Whitfield. “He’s found some success early, which helps. He’s a dog on the puck, that’s what we’ve always loved about him. He kills (penalties). He can play power play. He can come in wherever you need him.’’

A linemate of Boston’s Jake DeBrusk in the WHL, Cave has posted seasons of 29, 35 and 33 points in his first three years in Providence. Displaying increased confidence in his offensive game out of the gate this season, he’s on pace to surpass his career highs.

“Offensively is where he’s had his struggles, a little bit. Not generating, but finishing. It’s good to see him have some success early, seeing the puck go in, getting some results. That’s translating into his whole game, the way he’s playing right now,’’ Whitfield said.

Leach, who leans on linemates Cave and Anton Blidh as his top penalty killers, sees a player whose faith in his offensive game is growing.

“Colby’s skating well, he’s confident, he’s really good with the puck. He’s got a bit of an edge to him, he’s going through people. Obviously, he’s been able to find the back of the net,’’ he said.

Puck luck and experience are playing a role, according to the always modest Cave.

“I’ve gotten a couple of lucky breaks along the way. That obviously helps with the confidence, seeing the pucks go in the net. This is my fourth year pro. Being a little bit older, I take a little bit more of a leadership role as the years go on. It’s good because it almost preoccupies you, trying to show the young guys the right way to go, and everything else just kind of falls into place,’’ he said.

Cave always has been a strong skater, but he appears to be quicker this season.

“That’s definitely something I worked on this summer. More skating. Stops and starts. Quick feet in the gym. (Management) gave me some good feedback in my exit meetings – work on that half step and it’s going to make a world of difference. It’s shown a little bit to start the season,’’ he says.

Never drafted, Cave signed a free agent deal with the Bruins in April 2015 shortly after his season with Swift Current ended. He re-upped on a two-year, two-way deal last summer.

Cave is comfortable in the underdog role.

“It’s something I’ve kind of grown up with, passing through the draft, being a younger guy with a late birthday (December 26) growing up. I kind of embrace that role. When you do accomplish something, it makes you feel a little bit better,’’ he said.

Cave got three NHL games under his belt with Boston last season. If he keeps playing the way he has so far with the P-Bruins, there may be more to come.