Boston Bruins Need Quality Over Quantity Approach Against Pride Tonight – Hockey Writers – Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins conclude their road trip with a finale in the Music City. They will face the Nashville Predators, who are looking for their first win of the season. Considering all the additions the Predators made this offseason, the results were not as expected.

The Bruins are still looking for answers about their game. The offense has stopped even though he is among the top ten scorers. If there was ever an opportunity to use it offensively, it's tonight against the Predators.

Bruins Offense Needs to Do Better

Under head coach Jim Montgomery, the Bruins took a quality-over-quantity approach. Searching for the right opportunity has been a priority for the team, as under former coach Bruce Cassidy they have taken a more senior approach. By no means is it bad, but the Bruins aren't the best right now.

The Bruins offense currently ranks 28th in Corsi Percent and they don't have the puck at a high rate. Also, they rank 25th in goals-against percentage (xGF%) and give up more quality chances than they receive. For the second straight season, they are having trouble in the most dangerous areas of the ice.

Opponents are rife with chances and the Bruins have a very dangerous Corsi at 42.35 percent. That's just perfect. What they do in 60 minutes is less than perfect.

At 60 minutes, here's where the Bruins rank in these specific categories:

• CF%: 28 of
• SF%: 27 of
• xGF%: 25 of
• HDCF%: 26 of

As it stands right now, the Bruins offense takes neither a quantity approach nor a quality approach. When they got into the zone, they were standing still and hanging on to the puck for too long. It was sloppy and the top nine will be out of the game where they hit just five shots on target. That is less than ideal and players like David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand have to step up their game and put the team in a better position. Tonight's comparison offers a great opportunity tonight to right the ship.

The Struggling Defense of Predators

While the Bruins are struggling with style, the Predators defense has a leak in the pipeline. There is room for the Bruins to capitalize and implement their offensive game plan.

Related: Bruins Need to Call Fabian Lysell for Offensive Upgrade

The Predators did a great job of pressuring the opposition in terms of shot attempts (a few third downs.) It's crazy to see them not win, because they were the team that controlled the pace of the game. However, they have a worst five-on-five goal difference, have been outscored 16-5 and have had a lot of separation in their goals.

While the Predators didn't give up on quantity, they did give up on quality. When it comes to scoring chances, 53 have gone into the net. Of these 53, 13 found their way back into the net. Also, the Predators have seen opponents enjoy life in the most dangerous areas of the ice. The Predators allowed a career-high 32 shots on goal, with eight goals against coming from the area. 50% of their goals conceded came from high quality chances.

For the Bruins, if they want a quality approach, the Predators will give it to them. While the Preds did a great job of limiting interior space opportunities, teams were able to crowd the crease and have a high volume of opportunities near the goal line. There are many players who need to step up and tonight would be a good night to do it.

Bruins Must Work and Deliver

The Bruins offense has been stagnant, but it shouldn't stay like this forever. Since the fourth line has carried the Bruins so far, the big stars need to step up. Cole Koepke has been a bright spot to start the 2024-25 season, but the top guys need to raise their games. The matchup against the Predators is a great opportunity to right the ship and use the net. The Bruins' blue line has been active, so shooting the puck and rebounding is huge. The Predators are giving up quality and the Bruins should take advantage of that.