Here are three things to watch in Game 4:
1. Top line has to be at top of its game
The Bruins’ top line of Geekie, Elias Lindholm and David Pastrnak have been far less of a force the past two games after Geekie (one goal, two assists) and Pastrnak Pastrnak (one goal, two assists) each had three points and Geekie scored in the series opener. Trailing in the series, there’s no question Boston needs more from that group, which includes a player (Pastrnak) who reached 100 points (29 goals, 71 assists) in the regular season.
“The best players have got to be the best players,” Sturm said. “That’s just the bottom line. You always say that, but it’s true, especially when it’s playoff time. It doesn’t have to be sometimes on the 5-on-5, but maybe it’s on the power play or maybe something else. But these guys, it’s part of the business -- those guys have got to show up every night.
“If they’re not, it’s going to get hard. That’s why we need those guys.”
The Bruins got a tremendous effort in Game 3 from their fourth line of Tanner Jeannot (one goal), Sean Kuraly (plus-1 in 10:41) and Mark Kastelic (won 5 of 6 face-offs, plus-1 in 11:15), but Sturm was adamant that line can’t be their best, especially in the postseason.
2. Confidence is king
When the Sabres won Game 1 in a raucous KeyBank Center a week ago, it was a new experience for many of the Sabres, an emotional high.
But now they know what they can be and have a better idea of what needs to be done to advance.
“I talked to the team, I said, ‘We’ve been a good road team. We’ve put together some really good stretches on the road where we’ve played really well,’” Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. “And I said, ‘You’re going to get a different type of atmosphere, but I just believe in the way we play.’ I thought we executed that to a T.”
The Sabres will need to do so again if they want to depart Boston with two wins and put the Bruins on the ropes.
3. Changes afoot
Boston is making some changes to its lineup.
Forward Lukas Reichel will replace rookie James Hagens, and defenseman Jordan Harris could replace Mason Lohrei.
“Lukas has something we don’t really have -- that’s high-end skill and speed,” Sturm said. “That’s what we’re hoping for from him. He has to dig deep, he has to compete, but those are things you can teach and we’re hoping to obviously get more on the forecheck and get some pucks back, and that’s why we feel good about him, and also on the power play.”
About Harris, Sturm was less definitive Saturday. He said, “We’ll see tomorrow. We have to make some decisions tomorrow, a few guys are banged up, so we’ll see.”
Neither Reichel nor Harris has any experience in the playoffs.
Sturm said, “James didn’t do anything wrong. Nothing. This kid is 19 years old, don’t forget.”
Hagens, the No. 7 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, signed with the Bruins at the end of his sophomore season at Boston College and played two regular-season games before the playoffs. He has three shots on goal in three games against the Sabres.
