The New Jersey Devils (14-7-2) host the Nashville Predators (7-11-3) on Monday night. New Jersey has won four of its last five games, including a 3-2 win at Washington on Saturday. Nashville also last played on Saturday and picked up an impressive 4-1 win over Winnipeg. This is the first meeting of the year between the Devils and Predators.
Match Overview
There have been no new injury updates since the Devils placed Nathan Bastian and Curtis Lazar on injured reserve last week. Outside of those injuries, the Devils are at full strength. The only projected change, based off morning practice, is Shane Bowers returning to the lineup for Nolan Foote. Nathan Bastian continues to skate with a full face shield.
Jacob Markstrom is expected to be in net against Nashville. The Swedish netminder appeared in his 500th NHL game on Thursday, defeating Carolina 4-2. On the year, Markstrom has posted a .907 save percentage and a 0.13 goals saved above expected.
Meanwhile, after a busy summer that included signing Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, Nashville got off to a slow start at 4-9-1. However, since that slow start, the Predators have righted the ship, going 3-2-2 over their last seven contests.
Mainstays Filip Forsberg and Roman Josi lead the Predators with 16 points apiece, while Forsberg’s eight goals pace the squad. Stamkos is second with seven goals while Marchessault is third on the team with 12 points.
Injuries-wise, Michael McCarron is day-to-day after picking up an upper-body injury at practice last week. Otherwise, Nashville has a clean bill of health.
Juuse Saros is likely to get the start tonight. The 29-year-old goaltender has a .918 save percentage and 8.58 goals saved above expected for the season.
Projected Lines
New Jersey Devils
Forwards
Meier – Hischier – Noesen
Palat – Hughes – Bratt
Cotter – Haula – Mercer
Bowers – Dowling – Tatar
Defensemen
Dillon – Hamilton
Siegenthaler – Kovacevic
Hughes – Pesce
Goaltenders
Markstrom
Allen
Nashville Predators
Forwards
Forsberg – O’Reilly – Nyquist
Stamkos – Svechkov – Evangelista
Jankowski – Novak – Marchessault
L’Heureux – Sissons – Smith
Defensemen
Lauzon – Josi
Skjei – Carrier
Del Gaizo – Schenn
Goaltenders
Saros
Wedgewood
What To Watch For
Top Nine Bounce Back
Saturday’s win was a rare night where the Devils got significantly out-chanced at five-on-five. In fact, only three New Jersey skaters finished with an expected goals-for percentage (xGF%) north of 50.00; the fourth line of Justin Dowling, Tomas Tatar, and Paul Cotter.
While it is certainly encouraging to see a solid night from the fourth line, especially after a stretch of nearly no production or play-driving from the fourth line just a few games ago, the Devils need the rest of the team to bounce back tonight.
Against Washington, none of the three New Jersey forward lines in the top nine finished with an xGF% above 20.00 at five-on-five. They will need more from all three of those units against Nashville.
Red-Hot Power Play
The biggest reason why New Jersey could survive just an uncharacteristically lackluster performance with a win is because of a scorching hot power play. The Devils went 2-for-5 on the power play in Washington after a 2-for-3 performance against Carolina on Thursday. Both the Capitals and Hurricanes rank among the top seven in the league on the penalty kill at 84.6% and 83.1%, respectively.
On the year, New Jersey ranks second in the NHL with a 31.0% power play, trailing only Winnipeg at 33.9%. However, Nashville currently has the league’s best penalty kill at a stellar 91.7%. Nashville also held Winnipeg to 0-for-3 on the man advantage on Saturday. With both clubs excelling on special teams, this will be a crucial battle to watch.
Luke Hughes
Over the last five contests where the Devils went 4-1-0 against Florida (twice), Tampa Bay, Carolina, and Washington, Luke Hughes leads all New Jersey skaters that have played at least two games with a 59.19 xGF% at five-on-five. Hughes’ defense partner, Brett Pesce, is the only other Devils’ defenseman above 50.00 xGF% with a 53.18.
While it has been a slow start offensively for the youngest Hughes brother, with just three points in 14 games, Luke has been tremendous defensively and has immediately become a key cog in the lineup after returning from an offseason injury. Hughes also picked up an assist on the power play on Saturday, so maybe that offensive game is starting to click.
Where To Watch
The Devils and Predators are on MSGSN tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm ET.
Note: All statistics via Natural Stat Trick.