Need to Know: Bruins Set for Road Trip Finale in Nashville

NASHVILLE – Jim Montgomery is looking for a spark up front.

As such, Boston’s bench boss made some changes to his forward lines ahead of Tuesday night’s road trip finale against the Predators at Bridgestone Arena.

Boston’s top line featured Elias Lindholm in the middle of Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, Max Jones and Trent Frederic flanking Charlie Coyle, and Matt Poitras centering Pavel Zacha and Morgan Geekie.

“Trying to generate some chemistry. It’s been inconsistent our first six games so we’re just looking at different ways to support certain players, get other players on their toes and you’re just hopefully these line combinations will create some more offense and more success for us,” Montgomery said following Tuesday’s morning skate.

Montgomery was pleased with the effort and pace during the pregame workout and is hoping that will translate into game action as the Black & Gold close out a three-game, eight-day road trip.

“I want to see us pressuring pucks more,” said Montgomery. “When we’re at our best, we’re causing turnovers in all three zones. Last game, we did that in the D-zone, but we didn’t do that in the other two zones, so we need to be skating and ready to work a little more.”

Jones Jumps Back In

It has been an uneven start to the season for Jones, who missed most of training camp due to injury and has played in just two of Boston’s first six games – Opening Night against Florida and the road trip opener in Colorado.

But after sitting out Saturday’s game in Utah as a healthy scratch, Jones will jump back into the lineup against the Predators, riding on the left wing alongside Coyle and Frederic.

“Just my game, play heavy, play fast, retrieve pucks, create some chances. Playing with C’s and Freddy there should be a fun line. Just worried about what I can control out there. Should be a fun one,” said Jones, who acknowledged it has been difficult to find his footing thus far.

“It’s definitely not easy, not the way I wanted it to go but you’ve just got to roll with the punches sometimes. Just trying to get into a rhythm and get back to playing my game and growing my game and just worrying about what I can control. It’s been a little difficult but glad to just take each day as its own.”

Montgomery believes Jones is finally starting to gain some traction over the last several days.

“Last practice [on Sunday in Utah], I thought he had a good practice, and I thought this morning was the best I’ve seen him on his toes,” said Montgomery. “He’s an elite skater in this league and this morning that was very evident. I think that’s just him getting comfortable within how we play and when it’s time to go and when it’s time to back check.”

Opposing View

Despite some dynamite offseason additions that included Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei, the Predators have opened the season at 0-5, including a 5-2 setback against Detroit in their last outing on Saturday night. So far, Nashville ranks 30^th in goals per game (2.00) and 31^st in goals against (4.60).

Those struggles, however, will make for a desperate hockey club in the finale of a four-game homestand.

“You expect them to come out a little harder than usual,” said Jones. “But we know that going into the game so we can be prepared for it. Play a little bit simpler at the start of the game, see what opens up. But definitely know that they’re desperate over there and we’ve got to come out and play the game that we know we can play.”

Tuesday’s Projected Lineup

FORWARDS

Brad Marchand – Elias Lindholm – David Pastrnak

Max Jones – Charlie Coyle – Trent Frederic

Pavel Zacha – Matt Poitras – Morgan Geekie

Johnny Beecher – Mark Kastelic – Cole Koepke

DEFENSEMEN

Hampus Lindholm – Charlie McAvoy

Nikita Zadorov – Brandon Carlo

Mason Lohrei – Andrew Peeke

GOALIES

Jeremy Swayman

Joonas Korpisalo