Swayman helps Bruins shut out Predators

NASHVILLE -- Jeremy Swayman made 42 saves for his first shutout of the season, and the Boston Bruins defeated the Nashville Predators 2-0 at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday.

"It was fun to watch," said Swayman, who made his 11th start of the season. "Guys were taking pride in the defensive zone and also in the offensive zone. I had the best seat in the house watching them work, play together, a lot of talk out on the ice. It was a really fun game to be a part of. It was a great team win."
Jake DeBrusk and Brandon Carlo scored for the Bruins (12-8-0), who were without forward Brad Marchand and coach Bruce Cassidy for a second straight game. Marchand served the second of a three-game suspension for slew-footing Vancouver Canucks defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson on Sunday, and Cassidy is in NHL COVID-19 protocol. Sacco is handling primary coaching duties.
"He was tracking pucks very well tonight," Sacco said of Swayman. "Certainly, I think it was one of his better games. We needed him. When they pushed, he came up with some big saves."

Juuse Saros made 31 saves for the Predators (12-10-1), who were shut out for the second time this season, one game after they set a season-high for goals in a 6-0 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.
Nashville's 42 shots were a season high.
"I think we would like to have created a few more scrums in front of the net, some second and third opportunities, especially when a goalie is playing that well, find a way to do that," Predators forward Ryan Johansen said. "But obviously we did a good job of spending time in their zone and getting pucks there. Their goalie played great tonight."
DeBrusk scored a power-play goal at 14:38 of the first period to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. His first goal in seven games was also his first since general manager Don Sweeney confirmed Tuesday that the forward has requested a trade. DeBrusk's shot from the left face-off circle beat Saros high to the short side.

"I think that Jake played pretty good tonight," Sacco said. "He had a good game, and hopefully he can build off of that too. Like we said before, we want Jake to help our team any way possible, and he helped it with a big goal tonight."
Carlo made it 2-0 at 30 seconds of the second period, scoring to Saros' stick side.
"I thought overall we played a pretty solid game ... " Predators coach John Hynes said. "I thought we did generate a lot of offensive-zone time, a lot of pressure, a lot of Grade A chances. But we weren't able to capitalize tonight."
NOTES: Boston defenseman Jakub Zboril left the game with a lower-body injury at 4:46 of the second period. He was helped off the ice after Nashville forward Tanner Jeannot checked him into the side boards. … Bruins forward Taylor Hall had four shots in his 700th NHL game. … Craig Smith got the primary assist on DeBrusk's goal. It was Smith's first game in Nashville since the forward signed with Boston prior to last season. He played his first nine NHL seasons for the Predators (2011-20). … Erik Haula got an assist on Carlo's goal for his 200th NHL point (95 goals, 105 assists) in his 475th game. … Johansen had his point streak end at six games (nine points; one goal, eight assists).