G25 New Jersey Devils vs Nashville Predators: A familiar foe

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Five things to watch for when the New Jersey Devils take on the Nashville Predators:

1. Where offense goes to die

When John Hynes coached in New Jersey he always talked about puck management, getting on top of people, and playing smart, structured hockey. Nothing has changed in Nashville. They are a defense-first team built to limit the danger in front of Juuse Saros and allow the emerging star to handle the rest. That shows in the numbers.

Across all gamestates the Predators have allowed only 24.08 expected goals, and 69 high-danger chances, over the last 10 games. Both totals lead the league.

In fact, no team is even close when it comes to suppressing Grade A chances. Boston ranks 2nd in that regard and they’ve allowed 83. Chicago (85) and Dallas (89) are the only other teams who’ve given up fewer than 94.

The Predators aren’t giving up quality; especially of late. In the latter half of a back-to-back, sans their star goaltender, I don’t see them changing the gameplan and loosening the screws. Especially not against a speedy Devils team that is at its best in transition.

New Jersey is going to have to be opportunistic in this game. Not ideal given they lack true finishers.