With little time to rest after Monday’s game, the Boston Bruins are back on home ice tonight, hosting the Nashville Predators at TD Garden for a 7:00 PM puck drop. It’s a quick turnaround, but the Bruins have been thriving in these situations-especially when they’re playing in front of their home crowd.
Boston has turned the Garden into a fortress lately, riding a seven-game home win streak and boasting a 19-8-1 record in their own building this season. Add in the fact that they’ve taken 10 of their last 13 overall and are 8-1-1 in their last 10, and it’s clear this team is in a groove right now. The chemistry is clicking, the depth is showing up, and they’re finding ways to win in all kinds of games.
The Predators, meanwhile, come in with a bit more inconsistency. They’re 10-11-2 on the road this year and have split their last 10 games at 5-5-0.
Still, this is a team that knows how to hang in tight contests-they’ve gone 14-3-4 in one-goal games, a sign of resilience and structure that can’t be overlooked. With 52 points, they’re sitting fifth in a loaded Central Division, and every game matters as they try to stay in the playoff picture.
Morning Skate and Lineup Updates
The Bruins didn’t hold a morning skate today, so we’ll be waiting until head coach Marco Sturm addresses the media around 6:00 PM for any official lineup news. One question mark is defenseman Nikita Zadorov, who left Saturday’s game after an awkward fall but managed to finish the contest. He sat out last night, and his status for tonight remains unclear.
One thing that is clear: David Pastrnak continues to be the engine of Boston’s offense. With three assists on Monday, he hit the 900-point milestone (412 goals, 488 assists) in just 804 games. He’s riding a seven-game point streak (2 goals, 10 assists), and he’s been a nightmare for opposing defenses with his vision, creativity, and elite finishing.
In net, Joonas Korpisalo got the nod last night, so the expectation is that Jeremy Swayman will get the start tonight. Swayman enters with a 20-12-2 record, a 2.89 goals-against average, and a .903 save percentage. He’s been steady when called upon, and with the team playing strong in front of him, he’ll look to keep the momentum going.
Projected Bruins Lines
Forwards
- Marat Khusnutdinov - Elias Lindholm - David Pastrnak
- Casey Mittelstadt - Pavel Zacha - Viktor Arvidsson
- Alex Steeves - Fraser Minten - Morgan Geekie
- Tanner Jeannot - Sean Kuraly - Mark Kastelic
Defensemen
- Jonathan Aspirot - Charlie McAvoy
- Henri Jokiharju - Andrew Peeke
- Hampus Lindholm - Mason Lohrei
Starting Goalie
- Jeremy Swayman (Expected) - 20-12-2, 2.89 GAA, .903 SV%
Projected Predators Lines
Forwards
- Filip Forsberg - Ryan O’Reilly - Luke Evangelista
- Michael Bunting - Erik Haula - Steven Stamkos
- Cole Smith - Michael McCarron - Jonathan Marchessault
- Matthew Wood - Tyson Jost - Ozzy Wiesblatt
Defensemen
- Brady Skjei - Roman Josi
- Adam Wilsby - Nick Perbix
- Nick Blankenburg - Justin Barron
Starting Goalie
- Juuse Saros (Unconfirmed) - 20-17-3, 3.04 GAA, .895 SV%
Special Teams Breakdown
Special teams could play a big role tonight, and the Bruins have been scorching hot on the power play. They’re converting at a 27.5% clip on the season-third-best in the league-and since the calendar flipped to 2026, they’ve been even better, clicking at 37.5%, tops in the NHL. That’s elite territory, and with the weapons they have on the man advantage, it’s no surprise.
The penalty kill, however, is a different story. Boston ranks 21st overall at 77.8%, and that number has dipped to just 67.6% since January 1-29th in the league. That’s an area they’ll need to tighten up, especially against a Predators team that can capitalize on mistakes.
Nashville’s power play is middle-of-the-pack at 20.9% (15th), but their penalty kill has been solid, ranking 11th at 80.3%. If this one turns into a special teams battle, the Bruins will need to lean on their top-tier power play and avoid giving the Preds too many chances with the man advantage.
Season Series and What’s Ahead
Tonight marks the first of two meetings between these teams this season. They’ll see each other again in Nashville on March 5, but for now, the focus is on keeping the win streak alive and heading into the Olympic break with momentum.
Looking ahead, the Bruins will host the Flyers on Thursday, then hit the road for games against the Lightning and Panthers before the league pauses for the Olympics. Once play resumes, it’s back to the grind with a home matchup against the Blue Jackets on February 26.
How to Watch
Puck drops at 7:00 PM ET. Catch the game on NESN.
With the Bruins rolling at home and Pastrnak playing at an MVP level, tonight’s matchup offers a chance to keep stacking points. But the Predators aren’t pushovers-they’ve got veteran firepower, a solid blue line led by Roman Josi, and a goaltender in Juuse Saros who can steal a game. Expect a competitive tilt, and don’t be surprised if it comes down to who wins the special teams battle.