As one would expect in a matchup between Juuse Saros and Linus Ullmark, goals were indeed at a premium in Tuesday’s showdown between the Bruins and Predators at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

But it was also a damn-near throwback to the NHL of yesteryear — and I’m talking long before the Predators were even a twinkle in the NHL’s eye — as the Bruins and Predators nearly went three full periods without a goal on the board.

It was the kind of tight-checking, zero-room-out-there game that Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery has consistently warned their club about becoming the new norm down the stretch and into the postseason. And for the Bruins, it was less than 12 minutes away from being the team’s first 0-0 game in nearly 15 years.

Yet, powered by three goals in the final 6:42 of regulation, the Bruins did what they had to ensure themselves of a victory, and escaped Nashville with two points.

• With the victory over the Preds, and with Florida’s loss to the Canadiens, the Bruins have now moved four points ahead of the Panthers for first place in the Atlantic Division. That’s a potentially huge move, but could really come back to what happens for the rest of the week, as the Bruins will play the Hurricanes on Thursday while the Panthers play Ottawa ahead of a Saturday showdown between the Bruins and Panthers at TD Garden.

  Given the fact that the Panthers hold all the notable tiebreakers over the Bruins, the Bruins will by all means have to finish the season with more points than the Panthers to win the Atlantic Division.

  Here are the 98.5 The Sports Hub (dot com) 3 Stars from a victory over the Preds…

• Third Star: David Pastrnak

  

  Apr 2, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) waits for a face off during the second period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. (Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports)

  In what could be absolutely devastating news for narratives and lazy talking points, Bruins superstar David Pastrnak has put some forth some absolutely incredible 200-foot work of late.

  And Tuesday was just the latest step forward in that respect, as Pastrnak did the dirty work to help create Boston’s second goal and then stuck the dagger further into Nashville’s chest with the empty-net goal to give Boston a 3-0 victory.

  The Heinen-Zacha-Pastrnak line cashes in.
  
  A great 200-foot play by Pastrnak starts things, while Zacha finishes it.
  
  2-0 Bruins. pic.twitter.com/SYytnw986t

  — Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) April 3, 2024

  In addition to the on-ice results, the Bruins held a 10-5 on-ice edge in shots on goal with No. 88 out on the ice at five-on-five play, but were outshot 22-15 with Pastrnak on the bench.

  As we’ve discussed before, Pastrnak has really taken his game to another level since Jim Montgomery called out his team ahead of their flight to Florida. Always a great sign when your superstars (who have carried their weight all year) hear your message, respond, and follow that direction.

• Second Star: Charlie Coyle

  

  Apr 2, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Bruins center Charlie Coyle (13) celebrates with left wing Brad Marchand (63) and defenseman Brandon Carlo (25) after a goal against the Predators at Bridgestone Arena. (Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports)

  Just like timely saves, timely goals matter just a bit more this time of year, and there’s no denying that Charlie Coyle scored one hell of a timely goal, as it was Coyle who broke through for the game’s first goal with a shorthanded strike.

  Charlie Coyle breaks the ice while shorthanded with less than seven minutes remaining! 🐻 pic.twitter.com/7JoSx2SMJm

  — NHL (@NHL) April 3, 2024

  And on a night where Coyle lost 12 of his 20 battles at the dot, it was his defensive-zone faceoff game that remained strong, with wins in six of his 12 defensive-zone draws. Again, that matters.

• More on the Bruins

  – Bruins add another center to the pipeline

  – PODCAST: The Sports Hub Underground with Matt Dolloff & Ty Anderson

  – Why last week’s win over the Panthers mattered more than most

• First Star: Linus Ullmark

  

  Apr 2, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) makes a save during the third period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. (Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports)

  Just an absolutely absurd game from Linus Ullmark.

  On the board with his second shutout of the season, Ullmark was by far the B’s best player in the winning effort, and had to be exactly that from start to finish in this one.

  LINUS! LINUS! 🗣️
  
  Linus Ullmark (@Icebeardude) was perfect between the pipes for his second @pepsi shutout of the season! pic.twitter.com/IdBRLnWD5O

  — NHL (@NHL) April 3, 2024

  The 31-save shutout put an end to what was a two-game losing streak for Ullmark, but continued what’s been a strong post-deadline run, with four wins and a .950 save percentage in six outings since he reportedly refused to waive his no-trade clause to facilitate a trade out of Boston.

  Linus Ullmark since he reportedly refused to waive his no-trade clause at the 2024 trade deadline: 4-2-0 with a .950 save percentage.

  — Ty Anderson (@_TyAnderson) April 3, 2024

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