Final: Predators 6, Bruins 3 - Bruins allow four goals in second period

The Boston Bruins lose their final game before the trade deadline with a 6-3 loss on the road against the Nashville Predators.

Boston faced off against a depleted Nashville roster that included Ryan O'Reilly being scratched from tonight's game, yet the Bruins played as the inferior opponent through the first 40 minutes of the contest.

After back-and-forth chances to start the game, the Predators scored the lone goal in the first period. With six minutes remaining in the opening period, Nashville transitioned into Boston's defensive zone, and Nicolas Hague fired a one-timer off a drop pass that snuck in between the five-hole of Joonas Korpisalo.

The Predators received two minor penalties before the end of the first period, giving the Bruins a power play opportunity to start the second. Two minutes into the second period on a 4-on-3, Nick Perbix intercepted a pass which turned into a breakaway. Nashville's penalty expired turning the play into a 2-on-0, and Perbix delivered Matthew Wood a cross-crease pass to give the Predators their second goal of the game.

The Bruins received another power play opportunity two minutes following Nashville's goal, and Morgan Geekie quickly put the Bruins on the scoresheet with his 34th goal of the season.

However, things turned south towards the back half of the period. Nashville scored three consecutive goals in four minutes, turning a one goal lead into a 5-1 lead heading into the intermission.

The Bruins struggled winning net battles in front of Korpisalo which resulted in two goals that were tipped in front of the net. They also allowed a power play goal to Filip Forsburg, who scored on a clear shooting lane at the top of Boston's slot.

In the third period, the Bruins attempted to make a comeback. Charlie McAvoy and Viktor Arvidsson scored consecutive goals bringing Boston within two goals, but it wasn't enough.

With two minutes remaining in the game, Luke Evangelista scored an empty net goal, sealing another road loss for the Bruins.

This is a sour loss for the Bruins, especially before tomorrow's trade deadline. Boston played sluggish and allowed Nashville to win corner puck battles and battles in front of the net which resulted in goals. 

Adding insult to injury, the Columbus Blue Jackets won 4-2 against the Florida Panthers and now sit only one game behind the Bruins in Eastern Conference points.

Boston's next game will be on Saturday against the Washington Capitals. Puck drop at TD Garden will be at 12:30 p.m.

_____________________________

WHO: Bruins (34-21-5) at Predators (27-26-8)
WHEN: 8 p.m.
WHERE: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville
TV: NESN
RADIO: 98.5-FM The Sports Hub

LIVE BOX SCORE

PROJECTED LINES

Boston

Khusnutdinov - E. Lindholm - Pastrnak

Mittelstadt - Zacha - Arvidsson

Eyssimont - Minten - Geekie

Jeannot - Kuraly - Kastelic

Zadorov - McAvoy

H. Lindholm - Lohrei

Harris - Peeke

Korpisalo

Swayman

Nashville

Forsberg - Haula - Evangelista

Stamkos - Svechkov - Marchessault 

Kemelly - Jost - Wood 

Schaefer - Wiesblatt - L'Heureux

Skjei - Josi

Hague - Perbix

Ufko - Barron

Saros

Annunen

PREGAME NOTES

The Boston Bruins play their final game before the 2025-2026 NHL trade deadline with a game against the Nashville Predators.

“Getting back to the Boston Bruins and their search for a top-four right-shot defenceman, one trusted NHL source told RG to keep an eye on the New Jersey Devils, and specifically defencemen Johnathan Kovacevic and 2022 first-round pick Simon Nemec," per NHL insider James Murray.

Johnathan Aspirot is out of the game for the Bruins tonight.