New Jersey has an all-time record of 15-13-0-7 against Nashville.
The New Jersey Devils will face the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena. The club is wrapping up its 11th back-to-back set for the 2023-24 season. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 P.M. The team did not hold a morning skate. Head coach Lindy Ruff will speak with the media at 6:00 P.M.
Tuesday night will be the first time the Devils will face their former associate coach, Andrew Brunette. Brunette was hired as head coach of the Predators in May 2023. He will return to Prudential Center for the first time on April 7.
Devils @ Predators - Bridgestone Arena
The Devils earned a 0-1-1 record against the Predators last season. In their previous meeting, Nashville defeated New Jersey by a score of 6-4 on Jan. 26, 2023. Jesper Bratt, Jack Hughes, Dawson Mercer, and Yegor Sharangovich scored. Mackenzie Blackwood was in the net and made 35 saves on 40 shots.
The Predators are fifth in the Central Division (27-23-2). They are coming off a 5-4 overtime victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday night. Gustav Nyquist earned two assists, and goaltender Juuse Saros made 27 saves on 31 shots.
- New Jersey's injury list includes Dougie Hamilton (out indefinitely), Jonas Siegenthaler (broken foot), Brendan Smith (sprained knee), and Vitek Vanecek (illness/lower body).
- The Predators have not lost in regulation to New Jersey since March 3, 2015, going 11-0-3 in that period.
- Kevin Bahl and Alexander Holtz each have one goal in one game against Nashville.
- The Predators' last regulation loss at home to the Devils came on Jan. 19, 2009. Nashville has gone 7-0-4 against New Jersey on home ice since then, including wins in four straight.
- Bratt has earned a point in his previous seven straight games against the Predators.
- Ryan McDonagh has played 41 career games against the Devils, the most among current Predators skaters, earning 20 points (3g-17a). He scored his first NHL goal on April 9, 2011, against New Jersey (Martin Brodeur).
Projected Lineup
New Jersey:
Ondrej Palat - Nico Hischier - Jesper Bratt
Jack Hughes - Eric Haula - Tyler Toffoli
Timo Meier - Curtis Lazar - Dawson Mercer
Alexander Holtz - Tomas Nosek - Nathan Bastian
Kevin Bahl - Simon Nemec
Luke Hughes - John Marino
Santeri Hatakka - Colin Miller
Nico Daws/Akira Schmid
On Monday, Ruff said there is a possibility Brendan Smith could return to the lineup in Nashville.
Nashville:
Filip Forsberg - Ryan O'Reilly - Gustav Nyquist
Tommy Novak - Cody Glass - Denis Gurianov/Kiefer Sherwood
Mark Jankowski - Egor Afanasyev - Luke Evangelista
Yakov Trenin - Colton Sissons - Cole Smith
Roman Josi - Tyson Barrie
Ryan McDonagh - Luke - Schenn
Jeremy Lauzon - Alexandre Carrier
Juuse Saros/Kevin Lankinen
Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be broadcast on MSGSN. Bill Spaulding will handle play-by-play alongside analyst Ken Daneyko and host Erika Wachter. Fans can also listen on the Devils Hockey Network with Matt Loughlin on play-by-play.
Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.