Boston Bruins blank Nashville Predators as DiPietro earns first NHL shutout

Mittelstadt and Lindholm open the scoring

Nashville had Mavrik Bourque back after four games out with an upper-body injury, while Ilya Lyubushkin made his season debut.

Casey Mittelstadt opened the scoring at 3:49 of the first period, wristing David Pastrnak’s cross-ice pass high past Justus Annunen. Elias Lindholm doubled Boston’s lead on the power play with 3:22 remaining, redirecting Charlie McAvoy’s shot from the point.

DiPietro saves precede two more goals

With Boston ahead by two, Michael DiPietro stopped Nils Hoglander’s one-timer. He subsequently made two saves on a two-on-zero involving Bourque and Alexander Kerfoot. Those stops kept the score unchanged before Boston added to its lead, leaving DiPietro’s work between the opening goals and the next scoring play.

Pastrnak tipped McAvoy’s shot from the top of the right circle at 9:46 of the second. JJ Peterka then converted his rebound after Pastrnak’s shot-pass produced a post hit, making it 4–0 with 2:39 remaining.

Early third-period penalty brings more saves

Boston entered the third period four goals ahead but took an early penalty. Nashville continued seeking its first goal, and DiPietro supplied further saves. The penalty brought another stretch of work for Boston’s goaltender before his teammates scored twice more.

Kastelic and Pastrnak complete the scoring

Mark Kastelic scored at 6:50 after Annunen mishandled a Matt Poitras dump that rebounded into the slot. Pastrnak completed the scoring with 5:00 remaining when his high-slot shot deflected off a defender past Annunen.

DiPietro finished with 28 saves for his first NHL shutout, keeping Nashville scoreless through the finish. At the other end, Annunen made 25 saves while allowing all six Boston goals. Boston completed the win in regulation.