from Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe,

They have a hotshot No. 1 goalie from Finland. A shutdown strongman with one of the league’s hardest shots. A no-nonsense coach who insists on structure and accountability. A general manager with a degree from a Beanpot school.

But unlike the plummeting Bruins, the Predators are playing as though they want to make a run into June.

In five of its last six postseason visits, Nashville has lost in the first round. This year, after welcoming ex-Northeast Division players Hal Gill, Andrei Kostitsyn, and Paul Gaustad before the trade deadline, the Predators have no plans for an early dismissal.

Entering last night’s game, Nashville was 41-21-8 for 90 points. They are pushing for home-ice advantage in the first round.

“We’re much closer,’’ said assistant general manager and Springfield native Paul Fenton. “This is not a one-time thing that we’re going for here. We know it takes pieces to build the ultimate championship team.’’

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