Need to Know: Bruins at Predators

NASHVILLE - The Bruins will be looking to rebound from their loss to the Red Wings when they visit the Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday night. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the 8 p.m. ET puck drop on NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub:

Haula Shifting to Wing

After sitting out Sunday night's win over Vancouver as a healthy scratch, Erik Haula returned to the lineup against the Red Wings on Tuesday and played a style of game that he and the coaching staff both felt was far more familiar. As such, the Bruins will be looking for even more from the veteran forward on Thursday night as he shifts up to play the left side - his first look on the wing as a Bruin - with Charlie Coyle and Craig Smith on Boston's second line.
"We're looking for him to build off his game," said Bruins assistant coach Joe Sacco, who will once again handle coaching duties with Bruce Cassidy remaining in COVID-19 protocol. "We thought as a group that he played better last game. He used his speed, he was competitive on the puck, some of the things we've talked about with him. I think that he gives that line some speed on the outside there and hopefully it will help build his game a little bit to where we feel it can be."
Haula spent last season with the Predators, notching 21 points (9 goals, 12 assists) in 51 games.

Smith Returns to Nashville

Smith spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Nashville Predators and on Thursday night he'll return to Bridgestone Arena as a visitor for the first time. Smith ranks sixth in Predators' history in games played (661), fifth in goals (162), and sixth in points (330).
"I'm sure he'll be all fired up as he should be," said Sacco. "His game is starting to come around. He missed some time there with some injuries. It's taken him a little while to get going. But certainly, over the last number of games, he's definitely more noticeable on the ice.
"He's always a competitive player, Smitty. He always works hard, gives you everything he's got. But I think that him finding his shot, getting it on net now, that's his bread and butter is his shot.
"The more he can get that shot on net, create some opportunities for himself and his linemates, we become a better team offensively."

Shuffling the Bottom Six

Trent Frederic has returned to his natural center position for the past two games and will be back in the middle once again on Thursday night, this time reuniting with Nick Foligno and Karson Kuhlman - a trio that seemed to display some quick chemistry in their debut together on Sunday against the Canucks.
"It felt good the first game, kind of struggled with face-offs. Second game, I thought I was just all right, did better in the dots. It's just putting them both together," said Frederic. "[Foligno's] game, he talks a lot out there, that makes it a lot easier. It's like a second pair of eyes. He's very positive, he's easy to play with."
Tomas Nosek rode the left wing with Frederic and Kuhlman on Tuesday night against the Red Wings but will be back in his familiar fourth-line center role in Nashville with Jake DeBrusk and Curtis Lazar as his wingers.
"You shouldn't change your game, no matter who you play with. I always try to keep playing my game," said Nosek. "If I'm playing third, fourth, second line, it doesn't matter…bottom six guys always rotate a lot. I'm used to it. It's nothing new. I can play wherever. I have no problem with that."

Opposing View

The Predators come into Thursday's contest as winners of two of their last three, including a 6-0 blanking of the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night during which Filip Forsberg potted four goals. Nashville is 12-9-1 (25 points) on the season, which is good for third place in the Western Division.
Top-line center Mikael Granlund paces the Preds with 25 points (5 goals, 20 assists) in 22 games, while linemate Matt Duchene ranks second in team scoring with 24 points. Blue liner Roman Josi anchors the back end and has produced 20 points (7 goals, 13 assists) in 22 games.
Nashville's power play ranks sixth in the league at 25%, just percentage points behind the Bruins' fifth place ranking of 25.9%.
"Their power play is strong, especially that top unit," said Sacco. "They're dangerous on the man-up advantage. They have some good centermen that are strong in the faceoff circles. Obviously, they got a couple of defensemen, Josi being one of them, that's extremely active. They're a team that likes to activate their D off the rush. That will be a challenge.
"Their top line's been playing well, and they seem to be playing better at home, too. We have to be ready to make sure we start the game ready to go on all cylinders and just be prepared to play a game, especially early on, try to control some territory in the offensive zone and try not to play as much in our defensive zone if that's possible."

Wait, There's More

• Jeremy Swayman will make the start between the pipes.
• Patrice Bergeron, who missed Wednesday's practice for maintenance, will be in the lineup against the Predators.
• Taylor Hall is playing in his 700th career game.

Thursday's Projected Lineup

FORWARDS
Taylor Hall - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Erik Haula - Charlie Coyle - Craig Smith
Nick Foligno - Trent Frederic - Karson Kuhlman
Jake DeBrusk - Tomas Nosek - Curtis Lazar
DEFENSEMEN
Derek Forbort - Charlie McAvoy
Matt Grzelcyk - Brandon Carlo
Mike Reilly - Jakub Zboril
GOALIES
Jeremy Swayman
Linus Ullmark