The Nashville Predators traveled to Boston to take on last season's Presidents Trophy winning Boston Bruins. Head coach Andrew Brunette went with a familiar looking lineup tonight.
Jeremy Swayman got the start in net tonight for the Bruins, his first start of the 2023-24 regular season.
First Period
Brunette tinkered with the lines early in the first period sending Nyquist out with O'Reilly and Forsberg and Pärssinen and Evangelista with Glass. Tommy Novak centered Cole Smith and Phil Tomasino. Nashville got on the scoreboard first as Kiefer Sherwood gathered a juicy rebound from Saros, carried it through the neutral zone and passed to Colton Sissons who scored at 3:29.
Each team had opportunities on the power play, but it was Boston who was able to capitalize on the man advantage. James van Riemsdyk was credited with his first goal as a Bruin after his wide angle shot bounced off Dante Fabbro's shin and slipped past Juuse Saros at 14:48. The teams headed into intermission with Nashville leading in shots on goal 16-11 but the score tied 1-1.
Second Period
The Predators had a four minute power play at 43:19 in the second period after Jakob Lauko high sticked Roman Josi and drew blood. The Predators created offensive chances, but the most threatening chance came from a breakaway by David Pastrnak. Saros came up with the save, and the teams returned to full strength.
Brad Marchand took a trip to the penalty box for a crosscheck on Gustav Nyquist that resulted in Nyquist heading down the tunnel briefly. The Bruins killed off the penalty, and then David Pastrnak scored on a penalty shot to give Boston the lead. Colton Sissons scored his second goal of the game tipping in a Roman Josi shot on a delayed penalty. The teams headed to the locker room tied 2-2.
Third Period
The Bruins quickly retook the lead on a power play opportunity as James van Riemsdyk scored his second goal of the game at 2:52. Two penalties in the third period on Nashville gave power play chances to Boston, but the Bruins weren't able to convert.
Saros headed to the bench with just under two minutes left to play giving Nashville the extra attacker. The Predators worked to get the equalizer, but time ran out and the Bruins won 3-2.
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