Final: Kids produce in Bruins' 4-3 win over Predators in season opener

Welcome to the 2017-18 season. The Bruins posted a 4-3 victory over the Nashville Predators Thursday night at TD Garden. What's more impressive then defeating the reigning Western Conference champions is the fact Boston won  without the services of Patrice Bergeron (lower body), David Backes (diverticulitis) and Torey Krug (broken jaw). The Bruins' organizational depth was on display and it performed well in the season opener.



Observations after the third period

Bruce Cassidy said it was a possibility he would tinker with the lines throughout the game, so it wasn't a surprise when he made some tweaks with a two-goal lead. Center David Krejci started with David Pastrnak and Jake DeBrusk on his line, but Cassidy moved Anders Bjork up to that unit and had Pastrnak playing with Ryan Spooner and Brad Marchand.

Goalie Tuukka Rask was in midseason form. He finished with 25 saves and showed no ill effects from his offseason hernia surgery.

Forward Sean Kuraly could find a permanent spot on this roster if he brings that physical presence like he did tonight. It'll be interesting to see how the lineup looks when everyone is healthy and it was evident Kuraly understands his opportunity. He can crash and bang with the best of 'em.

I wrote in my season preview no matter how the season ends for the Bruins, this team is going to be fun to watch. If the majority of the remaining 81 games are anything like tonight, buckle up, fans. It was an intense up-tempo pace. It'll be interesting to see if this team can sustain this style of play for the entire season.

Observations after second period

The kids are for real.

DeBrusk scored his first NHL goal to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead at 5:48 of the second period. Even before his goal, DeBrusk appeared poised and confident in the first period. He was going to the dirty areas and nearly scored in the midst of a scramble in front. His goal was spectacular and he nearly added a second tally a few shifts later when he created separation from two defenders and attempted to go high glove on Predators goalie Pekka Rinne but he snared the puck. The best part: his dad, former NHLer Louie DeBrusk, is in attendance. NESN cameras caught the dad crying after his son's goal.

Rookie Charlie McAvoy showcased his offensive skills when he jumped up into the play, took a pass from Krejci and beat Rinne to give the Bruins a 3-1 lead at 15:43 of the period.  Between McAvoy, DeBrusk and Bjork, the kids are going to be ok.

ICYMI: After the first intermission, the Bruins announced forward David Backes has been diagnosed with diverticulitis and has been undergoing treatment at MGH by team internist, David Finn. Backes will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks but is expected to be out for at least three to four weeks.

Prior to training camp, coach Bruce Cassidy had a talk with Tuukka Rask about playing the puck more in order to help the breakout. In fact, all the goalies in camp worked on that skill numerous times. Playing the puck is not one of Rask's strengths but it has improved over the years. In the second period, he came charging out of his crease and won a 50/50 puck battle and helped the team clear the zone.

Observations after first period

Bjork had a high-quality scoring chance on his first shift in the NHL. He had control of the puck in the slot, but instead of shooting he attempted a pass to linemate Brad Marchand, who was not open and the Bruins turned over the puck. Chalk that play up to nerves for Bjork and you can be sure he'll shoot the puck more often than not moving forward. The one concern I have with Bjork is the contact he'll take because he'll possess the puck a ton. Late in the period, he showcased his hand-eye coordination when he nearly tipped home a slap shot from the point.

When David Pastrnak first entered the league, it was evident (like most teenagers in the NHL) that he needed to get stronger. The last few seasons he's worked on his strength and now he's a man amongst men. He doesn't get pushed off the puck as easily has he used to and the early signs are he'll have a solid season. He's also the type of player that won't hit cruise control after signing a big contract; he'll go the other way. He scored Boston's first goal of the season, a power-play tally. I actually predicted he would during my pregame Q&A. A blind squirrel, right?

The Bruins' PK will be a crucial part of the team's success this season. On Boston's first penalty of the game, Noel Acciari and Riley Nash nearly connected on a shorthanded bid. Acciari nearly pumped one in but the puck was batted away before it crossed the line. Late in the period, Acciari produced another quality scoring chance on the PK but Predator goalie Pekka Rinne made the pointblank save.

In order for Jake DeBrusk to be successful on the line with David Krejci and Pastrnak, the rookie needs to go to the dirty areas. He understands his role and he showed it in the opening period and nearly scored a goal in the midst of a scramble in front.

Fighting may be on the decline, but the players who still have that role understand it's still part of the game. Adam McQuaid squared off with Predators' Cody McLeod in a decent bout in the opening period.

The last thing a team with the lead wants to do is allow a goal in the final minute of a period. That's exactly what happened to the Bruins with 10.8 seconds remaining. Boston lost the faceoff to the right of Tuukka Rask and the Predators tied the game at 1-1.

Here are the line combinations and defensive pairings: 

Forwards

Marchand-Spooner-Bjork

DeBrusk-Krejci-Pastrnak

Beleskey-Kuraly-Vatrano

Schaller-Nash-Acciari

Defense

Chara-Carlo

Miller-McAvoy

Grzelcyk-McQuaid

Goalies

Rask

Khudobin