The Nashville Predators 2017-2018 season has officially begun as they started their quest for the Cup at TD Garden against the Boston Bruins Thursday night. While he didn’t play in the preseason, Nick Bonino was activated to open the season. Scratches for the game were Samuel Girard, Anthony Bitetto, andPontus Aberg.

Nashville was able to get the first power play of the game, but could not convert. Approximately 5 minutes after their power play, Roman Josi and Matt Irwin were called for cross checking and slashing to give the Bruins a 5-on-3 power play. Just 39 seconds into the Bruins power play, David Pastrnak scored to give the Bruins the 1-0 lead. With just under 10 minutes remaining of the first period,  AdamMcQuaid and Cody McLeod dropped the gloves at center ice. Viktor Arvidsson made it 1-1 with a wrist shot over Tuukka Rask’s left glove with just 11 seconds remaining in the 1st period. The Preds went 12 minutes and 24 seconds without a shot on goal.

The Predators were able to get a power play early in the second period. Pekka made some solid point blank saves early on in the period to keep the score tied at 1. However, Jake DeBrusk gets his first NHL goal to giving the Bruins the lead 2-1, 5:48 into the 2nd period. ColtonSissons had a breakaway opportunity, but was held by McAvoy to draw a penalty against Boston. Once the Predators got off their 6th power play of the game, Charlie McAvoy, who made his regular season debut after playing in the playoffs last season, scored his first NHL goal which gave the Bruins the 3-1 lead.

The third period gave the Predators a chance to comeback from a two goal deficit; however, they were unsuccessful until it came down to the last 5 minutes of regulation. The Predators were able to obtain two power plays which gave them the opportunity to pull Rinne to make it a 6-on-3. Unfortunately, Brad Marchand had the ability to successfully clear the puck out of the defensive zone into the empty net which gave the Bruins the 4-1lead. However, just over a minute later, Scott Hartnell got his first goal back in a Predators uniform on the power play to make it within two goals. While still on the power play, Filip Forsberg banked the puck off of Tuukka Rask to make it 4-3 with 34.9 remaining in regulation.

The Predators were not able to tie it up to send the season opener into overtime to obtain a point. Nashville’s next game is Saturday at PPG Paints Arena as they look to get redemption against the Stanley Cup Champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins at 6:00 pm.