The New Jersey Devils moved to 37-32 with 4 points, while the Nashville Predators went to 34-29 with 2 points in a 4-2 result at Bridgestone Arena.

Mar 26, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

First period

The Devils opened the scoring with 1 goal in the first period while holding the Predators scoreless.

The Devs set an early game flow by winning draws at a 65 percent rate for the game, and that possession helped produce 30 shots.

The Preds stayed close in the first period behind 13 blocked shots overall, keeping several Devils attempts from reaching the net.

Second period

The Devils added 1 goal in the second period and converted 1 power-play goal on 3 opportunities as the special-teams chances tilted the shot volume.

The Predators answered with 2 goals in the second period at even strength and finished with 2 even-strength goals in the game.

Jesper Bratt factored into the Devils’ response with 3 points on 1 goal and 2 assists, and the Devils’ attack finished at 13 percent shooting.

Jacob Markstrom stabilized the Devils’ crease with 16 saves on 18 shots as the Preds generated 18 total shots.

Mar 26, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) blocks the shot of Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91) from behind the net during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Third period

The Devils pulled the game away with 2 goals in the third period, and the stats sheet credited the Devils with the winning goal.

Timo Meier contributed a Devils goal on 4 shots, and Nico Hischier finished with 2 goals on 3 shots as New Jersey pushed its total to 12 points as a team.

The Predators’ push stalled as their power play went 0-for-1, and the Devils’ penalty kill allowed 1 shot on that chance.

The Devils closed out the New Jersey Devils vs Nashville Predators recap with an empty-net goal and ended the night with 21 hits to the Predators’ 13 in the physical game log.

Postgame notes

The Devils’ goaltending line showed Markstrom credited with the win, while the Predators’ goalie line showed 26 saves on 30 shots in the loss.

The official game ledger listed Jack Hughes and Hischier as the top 2 stars, with Steven Stamkos taking the third star for the Preds.

For readers looking for a New Jersey Devils vs Nashville Predators full match report, the team stats also showed the Devils finishing 5 takeaways and 14 giveaways while Nashville logged 3 takeaways and 13 giveaways.

The game-changing plays New Jersey Devils vs Nashville Predators centered on New Jersey’s third-period scoring surge and faceoff control, and the New Jersey Devils coach post-game reaction can point to a 100 percent power-play faceoff win rate.

Mar 26, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators goaltender Justus Annunen (29) blocks the shot of New Jersey Devils right wing Timo Meier (28) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The Devils are scheduled to play the Carolina Hurricanes on 3/28/2026 at 5:00 PM EDT at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The broadcast listing shows ESPN+, MSGSN, and FDSSO carrying the game.

Run it back for more Devils game recap coverage, and share this article with other Devs fans.

Recap

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