The Boston Bruins will begin their push for the Stanley Cup on Sunday.

Boston is set to take on the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in an intriguing matchup. Heading into the series, one of the big questions is whether rookie James Hagens remains in the lineup.

Hagens signed his entry-level deal near the end of the season and appeared in two games following the conclusion of his college season. Ahead of Game 1, Bruins head coach Marco Sturm revealed that there’s a ‘pretty good chance’ Hagens will remain in the lineup.

“It’s just the last two games, he gave me a lot of excitement,” Sturm said about Hagens on Friday. “I was not sure either where he was at, at this kind of level, but he did a pretty good job with the puck, managing the puck, playing without the puck, never got in trouble. 

“As a line with Minten and Khus, I feel like there is chemistry. We will see how the next few days play out, but I am really excited about that.”

Hagens found instant chemistry on the Bruins’ third line alongside Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov. In the two games he played, Hagens had one assist, but he added more speed and skill to the lineup.

Game 1 between Boston and Buffalo is set for Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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