James Hagens gave Marco Sturm a real playoff wrinkle after working on Boston's second power-play unit ahead of Game 1.

That's the part that jumps out now. It's one thing for Hagens to fight for a lineup spot. It's another for Sturm to look at him as someone who might help the power play right away.

Boston put Hagens on the left wing of the third line during Thursday's practice with Fraser Minten at center and Marat Khusnutdinov on the right. Then came the more telling detail: he also got work on the second unit with the extra man.

That says plenty about where Sturm's head is before the series opens. Coaches don't hand those reps to a 19-year-old unless they believe his puck touch and pace can help in a pressure spot.

Hagens has only 2 NHL games under his belt, but he already has 1 assist and has averaged 14:33 a night. That's not sheltered cameo usage for a player just breaking in.

The Bruins also did not rush him straight from college to the playoff mix. Don Sweeney said Thursday the club liked that Hagens started in Providence instead of assuming he would jump right into Boston's lineup.

Boston may be eyeing a bolder Game 1 role

This is where the decision gets interesting. The Bruins are not just asking whether Hagens can survive playoff minutes. They may be asking whether he can add something their second unit needs.

That matters because Boston is heading into a real series, not a tune-up. The Bruins finished 45-27-10 for 100 points, while Buffalo won the Atlantic at 50-23-9 and gets home ice to open the matchup.

Game 1 goes Sunday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Buffalo, and the building is going to be loud for the Sabres' first home playoff game since 2011. That's a serious stage for a teenager to jump onto a power play.

But Hagens has already shown why Boston is tempted. In his debut against Columbus, he picked up his first NHL point and flashed the speed and forecheck pressure that got him noticed right away.

Sturm also has some cover if he wants to try it. Hagens' main competition for a Game 1 spot, according to the Globe, was grouped deeper in the practice setup, which only adds to the feeling that he is trending toward playing.

This isn't about handing James Hagens a starring role. It's about whether Boston trusts his skill enough to let him touch one of the game's most sensitive spots in the playoffs.

And right now, the answer looks closer to yes than no. If Hagens is in the lineup Sunday, the power-play reps from Thursday suggest Sturm may be ready to use him for more than just safe five-on-five shifts.