James Nichols
The New Jersey Devils (36-32-2, 74 pts) head to Music City to take on the Nashville Predators (34-28-9, 77 pts) feeling pretty good about themselves after taking down the second place Dallas Stars earlier this week.
After a season of toiling disappointment, the Devils finally look like the team we expected them to be in 2025-26. Too bad it’s too little, too late.
Meanwhile, the Predators are playing well themselves, winners of five straight games and are desperately hanging onto the second wild card spot in the West.
Plenty is at stake for Nashville, whereas there’s not much on the line at all for New Jersey.
Let’s dive into tonight’s matchup.
What to Know vs. Predators
— The Devils and Nashville conclude their 2025-26 regular-season series, after the Devils earned a 3-2 overtime win against the Preds on Jan. 29, 2026, at the Rock.
—Nico Hischier recorded the overtime goal in the first matchup against Nashville this season, while Dougie Hamilton and Jesper Bratt also found the back of the net in the contest.
—Goaltender Jacob Markstrom recorded 27 saves on 29 shots in the overtime win.
—The Devils’ record playing at Nashville since 2019-20 is 2-3-0, but the team has won its last two road contests in the Music City since 2023-24.
2025-26 vs. Predators
1/29/26 W 3-2 Prudential Center
3/26/26 8:00 P.M. ET Bridgestone Arena
Devils vs. Predators
All-time Record: 19-13-0-8
All-time Home Record: 7-8-0-5
All-time Road Record: 12-5-0-3
Projected Devils Lineup*
Forwards
Timo Meier – Nico Hischier – Dawson Mercer
Jesper Bratt – Jack Hughes – Connor Brown
Arseny Gritsyuk – Cody Glass – Lenni Hameenaho
Paul Cotter – Nick Bjugstad – Maxim Tsyplakov
Defensemen
Jonas Siegenthaler – Dougie Hamilton
Luke Hughes – Johnathan Kovacevic
Brenden Dillon – Simon Nemec
Goaltenders
Jacob Markstrom
Jake Allen
*Lineup subject to change
Current Injuries: Zack MacEwen (upper body, out for season)
2025-26 Total Man-Games Lost: 295
Projected Predators Lineup*Forwards
Steven Stamkos – Ryan O’Reilly – Luke Evangelista
Filip Forsberg – Matthew Wood – Jonathan Marchessault
Cole Smith – Erik Haula – Tyson Jost
Reid Schaefer – Fedor Svechkov – Joakim Kemell
Defensemen
Brady Skjei – Roman Josi
Nicolas Hague – Adam Wilsby
Nick Perbix – Ryan Ufko
Goaltenders
Juuse Saros
Justus Annunen
*Lineup subject to change
How to Watch the Devils Game — 7:00 P.M. ET
Watch: MSGSN 2
Radio: DEVILS HOCKEY NET
Next Up
Thu., March 26 At NSH 8:00 P.M. E.T.
Sat., March 28 At CAR 5:00 P.M. E.T.
Sun., March 29 Vs CHI 7:00 P.M. E.T.
Tue., March 31 At NYR 7:00 P.M. E.T.
