As overused as the cliche of “the next game is the most important” is, the sentiment holds true for the Boston Bruins when they travel to Nashville to face the Predators tonight in the second to last game of their road trip.

Having won three of their first four road games against teams beneath them in the standings, the Black and Gold face a Predators team that is on a similar trajectory. The Preds sit in one of the two wild card spots out West, but their inconsistencies have kept them from sustaining any momentum late in February.

The Bruins, who sit four points in back of the Florida Panthers for first place in the Atlantic Division, are looking for a win against a team currently holding a playoff spot. Their last victory against a team currently in the top eight — in either conference — came on January 8th in Newark against the Devils.

Gametime: 8:00 p.m.
TV/Radio: NESN/98.5 The Sports Hub
Records: Bruins 31-20-6 (68 points), Predators 26-21-10 (62 points)
Location: Bridgestone Arena

Bruins’ projected lines

Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Brett Connolly
Loui Eriksson-David Krejci-Jimmy Hayes
Matt Beleskey-Ryan Spooner-David Pastrnak
Landon Ferraro-Joonas Kemppainen-Tyler Randell

Zdeno Chara-Zach Trotman
Dennis Seidenberg-Adam McQuaid
Torey Krug-Kevan Miller

Tuukka Rask
Jonas Gustavsson

Predators’ projected lines

Calle Jarnkrok-Ryan Johansen-James Neal
Fillip Forsberg-Mike Ribeiro-Craig Smith
Colin Wilson-Mike Fisher-Viktor Arvidsson
Miikka Saolmaki-Paul Gaustad-Austin Watson

Roman Josi-Shea Weber
Mattias Ekholm-Ryan Ellis
Barret Jackman-Anthony Bitetto

Pekka Rinne
Carter Hutton

Matchup to watch: The battle of the Finns

Both Tuukka Rask and Pekka Rinne are posting rather pedestrian numbers in 2015-16. (Photos by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily)

Two years ago in Sochi, Pekka Rinne and Tuukka Rask led Finland to a bronze medal performance at the Winter Olympics. Twenty-four months later, two of the world’s best are struggling to find consistency.

Rask is coming off a very solid 28-save performance in Columbus on Tuesday night, but, at times, he’s struggled with rebound control and trying to carry an inconsistent defense in front of him. His fellow countryman, Rinne, is suffering one of his worst stretches of his career. Just one year removed from being named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, the Preds netminder was benched in favor of former UMass-Lowell goalie Carter Hutton, but will get the start tonight.

Both Rinne (20-18-8, 2.57 GAA, .902 SV%) and Rask (21-16-5, 2.60 GAA, .915 SV%) have posted rather pedestrian numbers from year’s past. Both are still capable of stealing a game for their team. We’ll see if this winds up being a goaltending duel between the two Finns or another disappointing performance(s).

Storyline to watch: Can the Bruins beat a playoff caliber opponent?

Patrice Bergeron and the Bruins look to fight off the Predators tonight in Nashville. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily)

Desperately looking for momentum before finishing the road trip against the red-hot Stars (who are 7-2-1 in their last 10), the Bruins have a chance to get a quality win against a playoff-caliber opponent. Seventeen of the Bruins’ remaining games are against teams currently in the top eight of their respective conference. Four other games are against teams who are fighting for a wild card spot: the Hurricanes (three times) and Penguins (once).

Beginning tonight, this stretch will tell us if the Bruins can break away from the pack of mediocrity in the Eastern Conference.