The New Jersey Devils (27-24-2) can only hope to get the same kind of boost from newcomer Maxim Tsyplakov that Ondrej Palat provided to his new team last night. Hosting the Nashville Predators (24-23-5) on Thursday, the Devils’ new Russian forward will get his first shot.
It looks like Tsyplakov will wear No. 42 by the way. So if you see him on the ice or on your TV screens, that’s not Curtis Lazar.
The Devils come into Thursday on a two-game slide. After a poor start, the Predators have turned things around on the back of Steven Stamkos but have been inconsistent with three losses in their last five games.
Let’s dive into tonight’s matchup.
What to Know vs. Predators
— The Devils and Nashville meet for the first of two matchups this season, while the out-of-conference foes meet next in the Music City on March 26, 2026.
— The Devils swept Nashville last season (2-0-0) and outscored the Preds 10-2 (5-2 win & 5-0 win).
— Jersey’s team is 3-1-2 vs the Preds since 2022-23, and 3-0-1 against Nashville since 2023-24.
— Nico Hischier owns 13 career points (7g-6a) in 13 games against Nashville, which leads all Devils skaters since his era began in 2017-2018.
— Jack Hughes has recorded nine career points (3g-6a) in nine games against Nashville.
2025-26 vs. Predators
1/29/26 7:00 P.M. ET Prudential Center
3/26/26 8:00 P.M. ET Bridgestone Arena
Devils vs. Predators
All-time Record: 42-35-4-3
All-time Home Record: 23-18-2-2
All-time Road Record: 19-17-2-1
Projected Devils Lineup*
Forwards
Evgenii Dadonov – Jack Hughes – Jesper Bratt
Timo Meier – Nico Hischier – Dawson Mercer
Arseny Gristyuk – Cody Glass – Lenni Hämennaho
Maxim Tsyplakov – Paul Cotter – Connor Brown
Defensemen
Jonas Siegenthaler – Johnathan Kovacevic
Brenden Dillon – Brett Pesce
Simon Nemec – Dougie Hamilton
Goaltenders
Jacob Markstrom
Jake Allen
*Lineup subject to change
Current Injuries: Marc McLaughlin (undisclosed), Zack MacEwen (upper body, out for season), Luke Hughes (separated shoulder)
2025-26 Total Man-Games Lost: 245
Projected Predators Lineup*
Forwards
Filip Forsberg – Ryan O’Reilly – Luke Evangelista
Michael Bunting – Erik Haula – Steven Stamkos
Cole Smith – Michael McCarron – Jonathan Marchessault
Matthew Wood – Fedor Svechkov – Ozzy Wiesblatt
Defensemen
Brady Skjei – Roman Josi
Adam Wilsby – Nick Perbix
Nick Blankenburg – Justin Barron
Goaltenders
Juuse Saros
Justus Annunen
*Lineup subject to change
How to Watch the Devils Game — 7:00 P.M. ET
Watch: MSGSN
Radio: DEVILS HOCKEY NET
Next Up
Thu., Jan. 29 Vs NSH 7:00 P.M. E.T.
Sat., Jan. 31 At OTT 7:00 P.M. E.T.
Tue., Feb. 3 Vs CBJ 7:00 P.M. E.T.
Thu., Feb. 5 Vs NYI 7:00 P.M. E.T.
