Welcome to NHL Predictions here at Last Word on Hockey! Each day, we examine upcoming games, providing predictions and analyzing head-to-head matchups.

The Boston Bruins (9-9-3) continue to move forward under interim head coach Joe Sacco as they pay a visit tonight to the Detroit Red Wings (8-9-2). Here’s what you need to know before puck drop. Bruins Beneficiaries Under Sacco: After firing Jim Montgomery as their head coach earlier this week and turning the team over

Nikita Zadorov is embracing the Bruins’ reset. “I thought we were playing soft the first 20 games,” said the big defenseman

Bruins' change of coach from Jim Montgomery to interim bench boss Joe Sacco leads bruising Zadorov to step up own game and seek the same from teammates.

So far, Zadorov has had a bit of a shaky start to the season, like many of his Bruins teammates. In 21 games, the 6-foot-6 defenseman has five assists, an NHL-leading 46 penalty minutes, and a minus-1 rating.