In the opening 20 minutes, the Bruins made the Predators look like the team Nashville GM Barry Trotz thought he had assembled last summer when he sunk big money free agents Steven Stamkos, Brady Skjei and Jonathan Marchessault.

The Bruins are hoping a two-week break hasn’t cooled Pastrnak, who has 15 goals and 31 points over his last 18 games. Since Dec. 14, the Bruins have outscored opponents, 45-26, over Pastrnak’s 526 minutes of five-on-five ice time.

In a season that never got on track for a variety of reasons, including the lackluster contributions of pricey free agents and injuries, the Bruins appear likely to make deals with an eye toward the future.

With the 4 Nations Face-Off over, the Bruins will resume play on Saturday night against the Anaheim Ducks at TD Garden.

TSN: Boston Bruins forward Trent Frederic is week-to-week with a lower-body injury and he was seen in a walking boot. That said, it doesn’t change that he could be traded by the deadline, according to Chris Johnston, who added:

But with Boston already struggling to find some traction on the ice — coupled with potential season-ending injuries to Hampus Lindholm and ... Geekie (RFA), Trent Frederic, Justin Brazeau ...