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DEVILS (31-12-4) AT PREDATORS (23-18-6)
Head-to-Head
This is the second and final game between the Devils and Predators this season. Nashville snapped a three-game win streak for New Jersey with a 4-3 overtime victory at Prudential Center on Dec. 1, 2022. Ryan Johansen scored twice, including the game winner, while Colton Sissons and Mikael Granlund also scored.
All three of the Devils goals came in the middle frame with Kevin Bahl, Jesper Bratt and Alexander Holtz scoring. Bratt and Holtz had power play goals and the Devils converted on two of their five man-advantage opportunities.
Devils Team Scope
The Devils are cruising in January with a 8-1-2 record and are currently riding a two-game win streak. New Jersey's last four games have gone to overtime or a shootout; however, the Devils have only lost one of those contests (Jan 19 in Seattle, 4-3). The biggest key to picking up at least a point in these games has been a key player scoring in the final minutes of the game to send it to extra time.
Devils center Jack Hughes has 30 goals and 30 assists for 60 points through 47 games. His play has been consistent throughout the year as New Jersey's All-Star continues to be a game-changer night in and night out. Hughes leads his team in all categories (goals, assists, points). Nico Hischier (21G, 25A), Jesper Bratt (18G, 30A), and Dougie Hamilton (13 G, 29A) all have over 40 points this season and have constantly been on the scoresheet. Hamilton is riding a two-game goal streak after scoring the game winning goals on Sunday and Tuesday, and the game tying goal on Tuesday.
Vitek Vanecek and Mackenzie Blackwood make up the Devils goaltender tandem which has been a strength this season. Vanecek is 20-5-2 with a 2.30 goals against average and a .916 save percentage. He is the first goaltender in franchise history to have 20 wins in his first 28 starts since Martin Brodeur achieved this during the 1997-98 season (per Nick Cahill, MSG). Blackwood has a 3.04 goals against average and a .896 save percentage as the netminder helped pick up a big win against the LA Kings and a point against the Seattle Kraken.
Predators Team Scope
Nashville has gone 6-4-0 in their last ten games and are riding a two-game win streak, a big points grab as the Predators are pushing for a playoff spot. Currently, the Predators are five points back from the top wild card spot with one game in hand to Edmonton who currently holds that place in the race.
Nashville's defensive play has kept opposing teams to under three-goals a game on average (2.89 GA/GP) which is 13th in the NHL. Although the Predators are averaging 2.75 GF/GP, which is 27th in the NHL, they've found some big scoring in January. Through 12 games played, Nashville has scored three or more goals in seven of those contests, and have outscored their opponents 37-30.
Filip Forsberg paces the Predators with 18 goals and is tied with Roman Josi for a team leading 40 points. Josi leads Nashville with 28 assists and has a team high six points in the last five games (1G, 5A). Juuse Saros has a 18-13-5 record and has won his last two starts. He has a 2.70 goals against average and a .920 save percentage. Kevin Lankinen may be the backup netminder but he's a solid option when the Predators need him. He's won his last two games and has a 2.64 goals against average and a .924 save percentage. Thursday's game is the Predators final contest before the All-Star break.
By the Numbers
The Devils have picked up points in their last eight games and have gone 7-0-1 in that span.
With wins in his last seven starts, Vitek Vanecek is tied for the eighth-longest win streak in franchise history. Vanecek is also the first goaltender to achieve 7 straight wins since the 2010-11 season.
Predators center Ryan Johansen is seventh in the NHL for face-off wins with a 58.9 win percentage. He is 0.2 ahead of Devils center Michael McLeod who is eighth in the league.
Injury Updates
Devils
John Marino (upper-body, week-to-week)
Jonathan Bernier (hip, IR)
Predators
Mark Borowiecki (upper-body, IR)
