BSJ Game Report: Predators 5, Bruins 3 -- Smashed by Nashville

NASHVILLE -- Everything you need to know from the Bruins' 5-3 loss at Bridgestone Arena in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

HEADLINES

Early hole proves too much: In a much different game than Boston’s 4-3 win over Nashville on opening night on Oct. 5 at TD Garden, the Predators proved why they reached the Stanley Cup finals last spring by jumping out to an early 4-0 lead that proved too much for the Bruins to overcome. Boston dominated at times during this game, but when the Bruins made mistakes, Nashville made them pay.

https://twitter.com/mkmolnar/status/937872414893068288

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Inevitable: It wasn’t too long ago when some believed Anton Khudobin should be starting over Tuukka Rask on a permanent basis. Well, it was a tough night for Khudobin, who has a history of being streaky. He had issues with rebound control early and it had a negative impact on his performance. After the Predators gained a 4-0 lead at 4:10 of the second period, Khudobin was given the hook and replaced with Rask. Bruce Cassidy admitted after the game the decision was more to spark the team and not Khudobin's performance.

https://twitter.com/PredsNHL/status/937868918231912448

Not enough traffic: The Bruins registered 40 shots on Pekka Rinne, but Boston’s lack of net-front presence and secondary chances in the first two periods was the difference. Plus, Rinne played well as he usually does.

TWO UP

Tuukka Rask: It’s not easy for a cold goalie to enter after beginning the game as the backup. You don’t have a chance to warm up and opponents usually take advantage by challenging once the change is made. Plus, Rask does not like coming into the game after being on the bench. He was solid in relief and turned in a tremendous save midway through the third period when he stoned the Predators’ Colton Sissons with a left-pad stop.

David Backes: Recorded his 500^th career point on his assist of Zdeno Chara’s goal in the third period. Still incredible to see Backes playing after having a portion of his colon removed on Nov. 2.

https://twitter.com/mkmolnar/status/937883352576790528

TWO DOWN

Torey Krug: The veteran defenseman has been playing well at both ends of the ice during the team’s recent string of success. Safe to say Monday wasn’t one of his better performances.

David Krejci: His untimely turnover seconds before the Predators scored their first goal of the game at 1:26 of the first period opened the floodgates as Nashville gained a 4-0 advantage.

TURNING POINT

Too much too soon: The Bruins have the ability to erase a two-goal deficit, but coming back from four goals down to the defending Western Conference champions is a massive undertaking. So, it was Nashville’s two quick goals in a span of less than two minutes to start the second period that forced Cassidy to replace Khudobin with Rask.

SAVE OF THE GAME

Highlight reel: Even though Khudobin was pulled early in the second period, he turned in an outstanding save on the Predators’ Roman Josi with 9:43 remaining in the first. Nashville created a 3-on-1 when Josi had a golden, back-door opportunity. Khudobin came across with a right-pad save. It was his best stop of the game.

https://twitter.com/mkmolnar/status/937856772039233539

UP NEXT

The Bruins host the Arizona Coyotes at 7 p.m. on Thursday at TD Garden.