Boston Bruins: Three things to know before matchup versus Predators

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 22: Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) tries to jam the puck underneath Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Nashville Predators on December 22, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 22: Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) tries to jam the puck underneath Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Nashville Predators on December 22, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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nashville predators forwards
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 12: Mikael Granlund #64 of the Nashville Predators celebrates his goal with Filip Forsberg #9 and Matt Duchene #95, to take a 1-0 lead over the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Staples Center on October 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Nashville has five forwards with at least 20 points

Two defensemen lead the team in points, but that doesn’t mean Nashville has a weak offense. The Predators certainly lack the high-end offensive talent of Boston, but they have a number of quality forwards who can put up points.

In fact, Nashville has five different forwards with at least 20 points. Calle Janrok surprisingly is the top-scoring forward with 25 points. While Nashville lists him at center, Janrok plays the right wing on the first line.

Filip Forsberg is next with 24 points, followed by Duchene with 23. Those two anchor Nashville’s second line.

Nick Bonino and Ryan Johansen are the other two forwards with at least 20 points.

The record may not show it, but Nashville will be a tough matchup for Boston. The Bruins’ top line will need to win the battles against Josi and Ellis, and the defense needs to handle Nashville’s forwards. Look for the Bruins to do all this Saturday night.