Predators keep shooting victims in mind during Bruins rage

BOSTON — When the Nashville Predators’ flight departed for Boston, defenseman Ryan McDonagh was not on board.

He stayed home on Monday, to be with his three young daughters in the shaken community.

A day after a fatal elementary school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, that left six people dead, including three children, McDonagh boarded a commercial flight. Hours after arriving, and with both teams wearing helmet stickers to remember the victims, he helped the Predators beat the Bruins 2-1 on Tuesday night.

“It’s not really the first shoot, unfortunately. When you have kids and it’s happening near you, it’s really different,” McDonagh said. “Like any parent, you do everything you can to help your family and your children.”

McDonagh’s daughters, Falan, Murphy and Nola, are all under 9.

“Quite frankly, there are really no words you can say after what happened yesterday in Nashville,” McDonagh said, adding, “Just a tragedy for these families and everyone affected. you really realize that when you have children of your own and the prospect.

McDonagh said it wasn’t just another game as the Predators beat the NHL-leading Bruins.

“We felt like we had to go out and do our job the best we could and sacrifice and leave it all out there and just try to bring some inspiration to the city of Nashville,” McDonagh said.

Predators coach John Hynes spoke to his team about the situation.

“It’s something we talked about with our guys, that we’re on a platform here as professional athletes and coaches,” he said. “The city of Nashville means a lot to these people. We wanted to make an effort for the first responders, for the people involved in the incident – ​​the families, the school. We’re really, really proud of the guys.”

The Predators and Bruins wore helmet stickers to show their support for The Covenant School, where three 9-year-old students and three adult staff members were killed. The Bruins also observed a minute’s silence before the national anthem.

“The Bruins stand with the Nashville Predators in solidarity against gun violence and their support for the Nashville community,” the AP announcer said.

Nashville is trying to qualify for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot and won only the third time in eight games.

Hynes told his team about the few hours of relief they could bring people back home.

“Sometimes when things are tough in life – it’s part of the sport, it’s for the players and the people involved in it, but I think for the fans it’s an opportunity to take a few hours off and can -be to walk away from a few things in your life,” Hynes said. “That was the message we took into the game.”