Predators at Bruins
THE STORY: There was a time not long ago that the Boston Bruins appeared invincible. That time has passed. The Bruins have dropped three of their last four and bottomed out with a 6-0 setback at Buffalo on Wednesday. Boston has totaled one goal in its last three losses and has yet to score a power-play goal in February. The Nashville Predators have had similar struggles this month, dropping three of four. But the Predators have a least been able to put the puck in the net, averaging 3.0 goals in the last three games. The teams will meet in Beantown on Saturday.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, FSTN (Nashville), NESN (Boston)
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (32-18-5): After allowing a total of four goals in the four games prior to the All-Star break, Nashville has surrendered 17 in the last five contests. Pekka Rinne has surrendered seven goals in losing his last two starts and the Predators’ penalty kill has not helped much. They allowed a pair of power-play goals in Thursday’s 4-3 loss at Ottawa and have yielded at least one in five of the last six contests.
ABOUT THE BRUINS (33-17-2): Boston is 5-6-1 in its last 12 games after going 11-2-0 in its previous 13. The high-powered offense has slipped considerably of late and reigning Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas is drawing more headlines for his political views than his performance in net. Backup Tuukka Rask has been exposed in increased time and was pulled from Wednesday’s setback. The Bruins have not won back-to-back games in a month. Forward Nathan Horton has been out since Jan. 22 with a concussion and had his rehab cut back this week due to lingering symptoms.
OVERTIME:
1. Nashville took the lone meeting last season, 4-3, in overtime. The home team has won each of the last five in the series.
2. Thomas has only started twice against the Predators, winning both while allowing a total of three goals.
3. Nashville RW Martin Erat has six points in the last three games.