NASHVILLE -- Despite an early surge in the third period to cut their deficit to one goal, the Boston Bruins couldn’t complete a possible comeback as they dropped a 5-3 decision to the Nashville Predators Monday night at Bridgestone Arena.
The Predators gained a 4-0 lead, but the Bruins chipped away with a goal in the second and two quick tallies in the third. Nashville responded with its fifth goal to stifle Boston’s momentum. Starter Anton Khudobin was pulled at 4:10 of the second period after the Predators gained four-goal lead.
Since the Bruins entered this game winning six of their previous seven games, coach Bruce Cassidy stayed with the same lineup for Monday's game. The only change from Saturday's 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers was Khudobin started.
Pregame notes: Rookie forward Jake DeBrusk has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury is not ready for game action.
"He's very close," Cassidy said. "We're just going to give him a little extra time. We'll still list him as day-to-day but Thursday's a good possibility."
If that's the case, and DeBrusk is ready for Thursday, the Bruins will need to make a roster move. Forwards Matt Beleskey and Frank Vatrano have been the healthy scratches.
"The players are aware of what's going on," Cassidy said. "We've tried to create a healthy competition throughout the lineup. We've seen it at times up front when we've used younger guys over more established guys, and you're starting to see it on the back end with (Matt) Grzelcyk staying in there. It's good if it makes your team better. We have good character in the room, so guys understand what we're trying to do. It's not personal. It's the business side of it. You've got to do your part and do it well, if not then there's people pushing you and that's what we want. We want to have a deep organization and we're starting to see some of that."
Observations from the third period
- David Pastrnak simply fanned on that open-net chance on the PP. It was an easy tap-in.
- Power play is crucial right here for the Bruins.
- Wow. Predators respond as Filip Forsberg gives Nashville a 5-3 advantage. That one hurts.
- This is the type of net-front presence the Bruins needed in the first two periods.
- Bruins answering the bell early in the period as Pastrnak scores to cut Boston's deficit to one goal.
- David Backes assists on the goal for his 500th NHL point.
- Bruins getting the early bounces in the third and Zdeno Chara scores to cut Boston's deficit to two goals.
- Pekka Rinne tracks the puck so well.
- Let's see how the Bruins finish this one.
- Charlie McAvoy scores on the power play for Boston's first goal of the game. The Bruins have focused a lot on the power play of late and it showed on that man-advantage.
- The Predators defeated the Bruins 5-0 on Dec. 30, 2006 in this building.
- Predators score two quick goals to start the period and Tuukka Rask is coming in to replace Khudobin.
- Bruins could use more of that from Anders Bjork. When he moves his feet he has the ability to create chances.
- Torey Krug needs to rebound from a difficult first period.
- Bruins need more traffic in front to get back in this one.
- Krug can't control a bouncing puck and the Predators take a 2-0 lead with 17.4 seconds remaining in the period. Second goal of the game for Craig Smith.
- Got to get inside more.
- Can't turn the puck over against a team like the Predators.
- Huge right-pad save by Khudobin as Roman Josi finishes a 3-on-1. Remember that one.
- Matt Grzelcyk's comfort level is improving.
- The Predators will take the Bruins shooting from the perimeter all night.
- It's going to take a lot of traffic in front to beat Rinne tonight.
- Early rebound issues for Khudobin.
- Bad turnover by David Krejci and the Predators capitalize for a 1-0 lead.
- Dominating opening shift by the Bruins.
- Bruins need another strong start against a dangerous team.