Boston Bruins head coach Marco Sturm is considering potential lineup adjustments ahead of Game 4 against the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday afternoon. Speaking Friday at Warrior Arena, Sturm refrained from confirming any changes but acknowledged ongoing evaluation of his team’s performance following their recent games in Buffalo.

Sturm praised the defensive contributions of the Bruins’ "kid line," consisting of Fraser Minten, Marat Khusnutdinov, and James Hagens, describing them as the club’s best defensive unit. However, he noted the trio’s offensive output has been limited, which may prompt some reconsideration in the lineup. “Consistency is the hardest part for those young kids,” Sturm said. “You need the experience and you need those games to go through it.”

Rookie James Hagens, who has appeared in just five NHL games, faced challenges in Game 3, including a missed one-timer opportunity and an incomplete block that led to Buffalo’s tying goal. Sturm emphasized the heightened scrutiny of such mistakes in the postseason but maintained that no final decision has been made regarding Hagens’ status. “He’s given us everything he’s had,” Sturm said. “He had more mistakes probably last game than he’d done in the past, so we’ll see.”

Minten and Khusnutdinov’s roles on the penalty kill remain secure, as Boston has yet to concede a power-play goal in the series. Should Sturm opt for a change on the third line’s left wing, veterans Mikey Eyssimont, Alex Steeves, or Lukas Reichel are potential candidates. Eyssimont, with eight playoff games experience from his time with Tampa Bay Lightning, is viewed as a likely choice due to his recent strong play and physical style, which could help counter Buffalo’s aggressive presence near goaltender Jeremy Swayman.

On defense, Henri Jokiharju may see increased action especially if Mason Lohrei, who sustained an elbow to the face from Sabres forward Alex Tuch during Game 3, is not fully recovered. Jokiharju, who has responded positively after previous benchings and recorded two goals and six points in the Bruins’ final six regular-season games, could be a valuable addition to the lineup.

Sturm expressed confidence in the readiness of the players who have been healthy scratches during the season. “They’ve just got to be ready,” he said. “When it’s time to shine, they’ve just got to make sure they’re ready to go.”

The Bruins also are navigating the challenges of a stringent officiating environment in this postseason. Prior to Game 3, defenseman Charlie McAvoy noted that officials warned against postwhistle fouls, aiming to maintain control but potentially causing players to be more cautious. Sturm echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the need for discipline but observing inconsistencies depending on which referees are assigned. “You’ve got to be more careful,” he said. “There’s been a lot of penalties, and it could have been way more. There’s times players are holding back because of it.”

Game 4 is set for Sunday afternoon, with the Bruins seeking to even the series against the Sabres.