March 3, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins head coach Marco Sturm sits behind the bench during Game 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images Less than 24 hours before the NHL trade deadline, the Boston Bruins are in a playoff chase as they look to conclude their season series against the Nashville Predators on Thursday night.
Boston has won 11 straight home games, but has won just two road games this year and traveled to Nashville looking to break a five-game road skid (0-2-3). Tuesday’s 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins moved the Bruins three points clear of the final Eastern Conference wild-card playoff spot.
The Bruins’ latest win was reversed when Marat Khusnutdinov and Casey Mittelstadt scored within 50 seconds of each other in the first period to erase an early deficit.
Jeremy Swayman continued his commanding performance with 34 saves.
“We have to feel comfortable in these types of tight games, especially in these playoffs,” Swayman said.
Coach Marco Sturm hopes his Bruins can bring that type of effort and attitude to the road, where they will play 13 of their final 22 regular season games.
“We are very comfortable and confident at home and there are no problems if we score a goal,” Sturm said. “Sometimes it feels a little different on the road. When the other team scores, the crowd comes in and now we have to react. … We have to be better on the road.”
Thursday marks the Predators’ third game in four nights and their first since dropping both ends in back-to-back years. Their most recent game was a 3-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday. This team is currently the first team outside the East playoff cutoff.
Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly lit the lamp to give Nashville a 2-1 lead after two periods before Columbus used a two-goal final frame to take the advantage.
But Tuesday was a difficult game for more than just the scoreboard as two Predators forwards were traded. Michael McCarron, an “amazing teammate” and “one of the glues” as captain Roman Josi described him, was traded to the Minnesota Wild during the game, while Cole Smith went to the Vegas Golden Knights after the game.
“We’re going to miss two great guys, two big parts of our culture that they bring every day,” Nashville coach Andrew Brunette said. “…I’m sad to see them leave, but at the same time I wish them all the best. They will go somewhere with great opportunities for a long-term career, but we will miss them.”
With the playoff race underway, the Predators have little time to dwell.
Nashville, now five points behind the West’s final playoff spot, is 1-2-1 since returning from the Olympic break and has scored two or more goals in only one of its last five games.
“We have to keep going,” Josi said. “Obviously it’s not an easy time for a lot of players but all we can control is our play. You have to accept the business side of it. That’s part of it and it’s not fun, but as players all we can do is play and hopefully get a win.”
O’Reilly left Tuesday’s game after receiving a stick in the eye during a confrontation, but there is no update on his condition.
The Bruins won 3-2 in overtime on January 27 in Boston. David Pastrnak scored the game-winning goal.
–Field level media
