Game Preview #54: Nashville Predators @ New Jersey Devils

The Matchup: Nashville Predators (24-23-5) @ New Jersey Devils (27-24-2)

Last Devils Game

On Tuesday, the Devils lost their second game in a row to the 29th place Winnipeg Jets. Yes my friends, the Devils lost to a team that only has a better record than 3 other teams and more win than 2 other teams.

The teams went goal for goal in the first period to end the 1st tied at 1. Winnipeg would score 3 goals in a row in the 2nd period, before Jesper Bratt scored his 12th of the season to bring the Devils to within 2 heading into the final period. The Captain scored his 17th goal of the season late in the 3rd period, but by that point, it was too little too late.

Speaking of too little, too late, Ondrej Palat did not play on Tuesday. As you know by now, he was traded to the New York Islanders, along with a 2026 3rd round draft pick and a 2027 6th round pick for…checks notes…Maxim Tsyplakov. Not that it really matters, as it was simply time for the Devils to move on from Palat.

Jake Allen did another one of his spot on Markstrom impressions, letting up 4 goals on 26 shots, and the Devils showed yet again, that they are really not a good team.

Last Predators Game

On Tuesday night, the Predators lost to the Boston Bruins, 3-2. Boston jumped out to a 2-0 lead with goals in the first and second periods, before Nashville scored late in the 2nd period to make it 2-1. Nashville scored again, midway through the 3rd period to send the game to OT, where David Pastrnak won the game in OT for the Bruins.

Like the Devils, (and Winnipeg) the Predators are another team that is struggling this season, playing basically .500 level hockey. Or, as I like to call it, not good enough. Like the Devils, Nashville has also lost their last 2 games in a row. One of these teams will break their losing streak tonight.

Considering he has started 11 of the last 13 games for Nashville, I would expect Juuse Saros to play tonight. Though, if there is any team in the NHL to get your backup goalie a win against, it’s the Devils. Maybe Justus Annunen will get some ice time tonight in a rare start. It doesn’t get any easier for a goalie than facing the Devils offense!

Injuries, Roster for Tonight, Yada, Yada, Yada.

Ondrej Palat won’t be playing ever again for the Devils, so at least we can stop talking about whether the Devils should bench him or not.

Luke Hughes is not due to be back any time soon. Cody Glass left the game in the 2nd period on Tuesday and did not return. Hopefully he is back in action tonight against Nashville. However, based on a post from Amanda Stein from Tuesday, it doesn’t look promising for his return tonight.