Boston Bruins vs Nashville Predators: Three things we learned

The Boston Bruins visited the Country music capital of the world on Thursday night for a matinee matchup with the Nashville Predators. The NHL’s best team made quick work of the Predators, taking care of business with a 5-0 shutout win.

Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, Craig Smith, Derek Forbort and Trent Frederic all put the puck in the net for the Bruins against NHL All-Star Juuse Saros and the Predators. Nick Foligno was also notable on the scoresheet, with two assists on the night. Hampus Lindholm also had two assists and Patrice Bergeron picked up one as well.

Here are three things learned from the Boston Bruins 5-0 dismantling of the Nashville Predators.

#1 One game closer

The Boston Bruins are the heavy favorites to win the Presidents’ trophy, holding a commanding lead over second-place Carolina Hurricanes. The Bruins lead Carolina by seven points in the race.

The Bruins are on a possible record-setting pace. The league record for wins in a season is 62, set by Detroit in 1996, and Tampa Bay in 2019. The Bruins will have to win 20 of their final 28 to match that, a feat that seems very possible given their recent form.

#2 Jeremy Swayman on a roll

The Bruins goaltender shut down the Nashville Predators in this one, saving all 28 shots faced on the night. Swayman once again proved that there has been no dropoff when he is called in to give starter Linus Ullmark a night off. Swayman was unfazed by any distractions on and off the rink.

Swayman is 3-1-1 in his last five starts, with his only loss being a 2-1 loss against the Washington Capitals a week ago. In 2023, Swayman has only given up more than 2 goals in a game once. The shutout is Swayman’s second of the season.

#3 A fish on the ice?

Everyone is well aware of the Nashville Predators playoff tradition of throwing a catfish on the ice after a goal, but was it warranted during a shutout against one of the best teams in hockey in the regular season?

With time running out in the second period, a Predators fan threw a catfish onto the ice during a Boston Bruins power play as the Bruins were carrying the puck up the ice. The Bruins were unfazed by the incident as they came out in the third period and scored their fifth goal of the night before ending the game with a goose egg on the board for the Nashville team.