After the New Jersey Devils rallied to win 5-3, the Boston Bruins officially earned their spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs when the last horn sounded in Detroit early Saturday evening. Coming back under first-year coach Marco Sturm after missing it last season is a surprise in the first year of a retool.
The likelihood of Bruins prospect James Hagens making his NHL debut on Sunday night in Columbus against the Blue Jackets increased when the Devils completed the third-period comeback. He did, and it was a nice one.
With 18 seconds remaining in the second period, the former Boston College star recorded an assist on a goal by Henri Jokiharju, which gave Boston a 2-1 lead in what became a 3-2 win. The reviews for Hagens were positive following the game, even from head coach Marco Sturm. The Black and Gold had an optional skate at the TD Garden on Monday morning. In advance of the regular season finale at home against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night, Sturm met with the press to provide an update on his lineup.
James Hagens will make his home debut on Tuesday night, according to Bruins head coach Marco Sturm.
Sturm told the Boston Globe’s Conor Ryan that Hagens will make his Garden debut on Tuesday night, as reported by Ryan. Additionally, Sturm stated that several important players who were not in the lineup against the Blue Jackets will be in the lineup against New Jersey. A Boston victory would pair them with the Atlantic Division champion in the opening round of the playoffs, giving them a one-point lead over the Ottawa Senators for the first wild card position. A loss in any way, along with an Ottawa victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night, puts the Bruins against Carolina.
Against Columbus, Hagens had an assist and played 13:08 in ice time over 19 shifts. He appeared to be in place and seemed like someone who ought to be in the lineup when the playoffs start the following weekend.
