Bruins at Predators
The Nashville Predators own the best record in the NHL and are off to the fastest start in franchise history, fueled primarily by their stunning success on the road. The fifth team in league history to open a season with at least six consecutive wins on the road, the Predators will try to raise their game at home when they host the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.
In a matchup of conference leaders, Nashville rode the return of goaltender Pekka Rinne to a 4-1 victory at the Tampa Bay Lightning to set a franchise record by reaching 10 wins in only 13 games. "There's so many good teams in this league, and I think the start is one of the most important things," Predators captain Roman Josi said. "We have to make sure we stay on it and get better as the season goes on." The Bruins moved within one point of the Lightning for first place in the Atlantic Division with their third win in four games, edging Carolina 3-2 on Tuesday, but they know the test that awaits in Music City. "We're gonna need to be our best if we want to have an opportunity to win that game," Boston forward Brad Marchand said. "It's a tough building to play in, too."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FS Tennessee (Nashville)
ABOUT THE BRUINS (7-3-2): Although Marchand is part of Boston's potent No. 1 line with Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak, he had been off to a slow start in the goal-scoring department before tallying twice at Carolina to double his season total. Marchand unleashed a season-high five shots on goal against the Hurricanes to boost his point total to 15 in 12 games. "I think when you get more pucks to the net, the more opportunities it's going to create," Marchand said. "I think that needs to be a little bit more of my game, not just looking for the pass every time."
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (10-3-0): Rinne returned to the lineup after sitting out five games due to injury and turned in a superlative performance by making a season-high 42 saves against the Lightning. "Unbelievable," Nashville center Ryan Johansen said after Rinne collected the 311th victory of his career. "To come back in and do his thing like he did, that's what we expect from him and that's what he expects from himself. He brings it for us every night." Johansen did his part to back Rinne by contributing a pair of highlight-reel assists while winning 17 of 23 faceoffs.
OVERTIME
1. Rinne needs four wins to tie Miikka Kiprusoff for the most by a Finnish-born player.
2. Bruins backup G Jaroslav Halak takes a 4-0-2 record into Saturday's start.
3. Predators F Filip Forsberg has 10 goals in 13 games this season and four in eight career matchups versus Boston.