Devils Vs Predators: Projected Lineups and Preview After Hughes’ Two-Goal Night
The devils vs predators matchup arrives with an immediate storyline: New Jersey heads to Nashville coming off a 6-4 win in which Jack Hughes scored twice. The meeting, set for 8 p. m. EDT at Bridgestone Arena, is the final head-to-head of the season between these teams. Projected personnel shifts, goaltending decisions and a handful of roster absences set the stage for a game with postseason implications and stylistic mismatch elements to watch closely.
Devils Vs Predators projected lineups
- New Jersey: Timo Meier — Nico Hischier — Dawson Mercer; Jesper Bratt — Jack Hughes — Connor Brown; Evgenii Dadonov — Cody Glass — Lenni Hameenaho; Paul Cotter — Nick Bjugstad — Maxim Tsyplakov. Injured: Stefan Noesen (knee), Zack MacEwen (ACL), Brett Pesce (lower body), Arseny Gritsyuk (undisclosed). Dadonov is expected to replace Gritsyuk.
- Nashville: Steven Stamkos — Ryan O’Reilly — Luke Evangelista; Filip Forsberg — Matthew Wood — Jonathan Marchessault; Zachary L’Heureux — Erik Haula — Tyson Jost; Reid Schaefer — Fedor Svechkov — Joakim Kemell. Scratched: Ozzy Wiesblatt, Justin Barron.
The projected lists show the Devils leaning on established top-six talent while the Predators present a mix of veteran scoring lines and depth. Lineup clarity arrives alongside last-minute availability notes: Gritsyuk did not participate in the morning skate and is listed week to week after exiting the third period of a 6-4 win in Dallas; his vacancy opens an opportunity for Evgenii Dadonov.
Tactical implications and statistical backdrop
On paper, the devils vs predators rematch recalls a tight first meeting that went to overtime, and season-long records underline the competitive balance: New Jersey enters at 36-32-2 while Nashville sits at 34-28-9. The Devils have been stronger in overtime this season, and the previous encounter ended 3-2 in New Jersey’s favor in overtime. New Jersey’s season scoring differential is negative, with 189 goals scored and 213 allowed, a -24 gap that frames defensive concerns.
Form indicators matter here: Nashville’s recent run has produced strong home numbers, and the Predators are notably productive when they score three or more goals. New Jersey’s offense has shown bursts—Jack Hughes’ two-goal night in the most recent game is the immediate catalyst—but the scoring differential and personnel gaps factor into how the matchup could tilt over 60 minutes.
Goaltending, injuries and what to watch
Goaltending decisions will be central. The Devils are expected to start goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who has appeared in 39 games this season and holds a 21-16-1 record; his last appearance came recently and he will be a focal point for New Jersey’s ability to suppress chances. On the Nashville side, Annunen is expected to make his third start in five games, handing the Predators a continuity choice in net that could influence pace and defensive structure.
Injury and scratch notes bear watching: New Jersey’s list includes season-long and short-term absences, while Nashville has left two players scratched for this contest. Gritsyuk’s absence and Dadonov’s insertion alter line chemistry for the Devils, and that ripple will be tested against a Predators club that has been averaging more goals across a solid recent stretch.
Special teams, net-front traffic and how each team manages transition will shape the outcome. With the final meeting of the season on the line and both clubs presenting distinct strengths, matchup execution—particularly around goaltending starts and the health of depth forwards—could decide a close contest set for 8 p. m. EDT at Bridgestone Arena.
Looking ahead
How each side adapts to the available lineups and whether recent form holds under the pressure of the final matchup will determine the short-term trajectories for both clubs. As the devils vs predators narrative closes this season’s direct chapter, which adjustments and performances will carry forward into the next stretch of the calendar in the teams’ respective campaigns?
