Smith propels Predators past Bruins

NASHVILLE -- Craig Smith had two goals and an assist to help the Nashville Predators to a 5-3 win against the Boston Bruins at Bridgestone Arena on Monday.
Pekka Rinne made 37 saves for Nashville (17-7-3), which has won 12 of its past 15 games.

"I thought we came out and executed a few things, but we're going to have to go back and look at the tape and find a few things," Smith said. "There's definitely things we can work on and just move forward. A few defensive] zone coverage issues and we'll learn from it and move forward, but overall it's a good win."
***[WATCH: [All Bruins vs. Predators highlights]*
Anton Khudobin allowed four goals on 14 shots in 24:10 for the Bruins (12-9-4), who won six of their previous seven games. Tuukka Rask made 10 saves in relief.
"We allowed them to get into the good ice, and some of it was self-inflicted," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. "We got going a couple times when we didn't have complete possession of the puck and then they'd be harder on it, and all the sudden they were in. They're a good team and you can't give up that many easy chances."

Smith gave the Predators a 1-0 lead at 1:26 of the first period on a rebound. He made it 2-0 with 17.4 seconds remaining in the first period. It was his 11th goal of the season in 27 games. Smith had 12 goals in 78 games last season.
"Just shooting the puck, having fun, making plays," Smith said. "We've got a good line going right now. It's as simple as that. I don't think I've changed very much. Took some of that preparation from last year and just continued to do it through this year."
Nick Bonino scored at 2:15 of the second period to make it 3-0. It was his fifth goal.
Kevin Fiala gave the Predators a 4-0 lead at 4:10 of the second period. He got Khudobin to bite on a forehand pump fake and scored on a backhand shot.
Rask replaced Khudobin after Fiala's goal.
Charlie McAvoy's power-play goal made it 4-1 at 10:14 of the second period.

Zdeno Chara scored to make it 4-2 at 4:33 of the third period. With an assist, David Backes got his 500th NHL point.
David Pastrnak made it 4-3 at 5:47 of the third period on a shot from the left face-off circle. It was his 14th goal.
Filip Forsberg gave the Predators a 5-3 lead at 6:21 of the third period on a breakaway. It was his 14th goal. Forsberg has at least one point in each of the Predators' 14 home games.
"We were struggling big there in the third," Predators defenseman Roman Josi said. "Obviously, two quick goals. You're up 4-1, you don't want to give up two quick goals. When [Forsberg] has that puck on a breakaway in a dangerous spot, he always scores."

Goal of the game

Forsberg's goal at 6:22 of the third period.

Save of the game

Rinne against Pastrnak 36 seconds into the first period.

Highlight of the game

Fiala's goal at 4:10 of the second period.

They said it

"The 4-0 lead is certainly suboptimal at best and a death sentence in some cases as well, but we battled to make it 4-3 and that next shift after they take a timeout needs to be one where it's still simple and still our game and get it deep into their zone. They're able to get a puck just inside their line, send it all the way through the neutral zone for a breakaway and make it a two-goal lead again. That's probably a shift I'd like to have back and we'd like to have back as a group to simplify, go a little harder and make sure that we're not giving them any life after we've got seemingly all the momentum in the game." -- Bruins forward David Backes
"It's not just tonight, it's every night right now. He's just on top of his game. He's working relentlessly out there, in constant pursuit of the puck. His line was good. [Kyle Turris] was good again tonight. [Fiala] was excellent tonight. The line was dangerous, as they were last game. They were our most dangerous group out there." -- Predators coach Peter Laviolette on forward Craig Smith

Need to know

Bruins forward Brad Marchand has five points (one goal, four assists) in three games since returning from injury. … Smith, Fiala and Kyle Turris have 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) in 12 games since Turris was acquired from the Ottawa Senators on Nov. 5. … Predators forward Ryan Johansen missed the game with an upper-body injury. He is day-to-day.

What's next

Bruins: Host the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; FS-A, NESN, NHL.TV)
Predators: At the Dallas Stars on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; FS-TN, FS-SW, NHL.TV)