Devils Fall in Homestand Finale to Predators | GAME STORY

The Devils finished their three-game homestand with a 3-2 loss to the Nashville Predators Friday night at Prudential Center.
New Jersey took the early lead on a goal by Pavel Zacha, but were stymied by some spectacular goaltending by Nashville's Juuse Saros, who stopped 29 of 31 shots. Yegor Sharangovich did manage to tally late in the third period.
Predators goal scorers were Roman Josi, Eeli Tolvanen and Yakov Trenin.

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The Devils travel to Long Island to face the Islanders in a back-to-back affair. The game can be seen on MSG and heard on the Devils Hockey Network, including right here at NewJerseyDevils.com. Puck drop is 7:38 p.m. ET.
Here are some observations from the game...
- New Jersey finished its three-game homestand with a 1-1-1 mark for three of six points. The Devils needed more. They can still salvage the week with a victory Saturday night in Long Island against the Islanders. A win against New York would give the Devils five of eight points on the week. Anything less and New Jersey will be in danger of slipping too far out of the playoff race to make a real run late in the season. - The blueprint for the Devils' success was on full display in the first period against Nashville. New Jersey played smart and patient hockey. And yes, it was a little boring. But it's how they'll need to play if they want to win games.

The Devils allowed just three shots on goal, tied for the lowest total of the season. The reason was they stayed above the puck and didn't turn it over. Thus, they allowed no off-the-rush opportunities against. By keeping their players high and above the puck, they were never outnumbered when tracking back. And the Devils remained patient, not trying to force offense. When they try to force offense is when they take risks and turn the puck over, feed the opposition's transition game. They didn't force anything, and thus, didn't allow any counterattack.And the Devils' offensive zone time resultd in three power-play opportunities.

"We were skating so well and drawing penalties. I thought we looked like a really fast team," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "I thought our first period was well executed when it came to playing in our own zone. The second period, there were two times we left their point men wide open to walk right in."

It was the most entertaining hockey, though both teams still had their chances. But the Devils should try to replicate that first period - and for the most part they played that way in the third period - in every game. If they do, they give themselves a much better chance of success. The Devils aren't going to outgun many teams. They have to outsmart and outplay them.

"It was a pretty good first period," Nico Hischier said. "We need to play exactly like that and get more pucks to the net. ... We just have to get more in front of the net and keep the skating we had in the first period."

- With goaltender Jonathan Bernier out for the foreseeable future, the net belongs to Mackenzie Blackwood. And the Devils need him to elevate his game now more than ever.

Blackwood was very good in the game. He made critical saves during the second period to keep New Jersey in the contest. But very good is no longer good enough for New Jersey. The Devils need Blackwood to be otherworldly. They need him to steal a game or two. They need him to carry the club on his back. He's certainly capable of doing just that. Now he needs to go out and do it.

For reference, watch the way Nashville goaltender Juuse Saros stole this game for the Predators. The Devils created a lot of great scoring chances, but he sniffed out nearly all of them. That's the difference a goaltender can make for a team.

- You have to love watching Nico Hischier drop the gloves against Mikael Granlund. The two were whacking each other a bit during play. Hischier delivered a cross check to the side of Granlund. Then, Granlund cross checked Hischier in the face. Of course, Hischier was struck by a puck in the visor last year that led to him have surgery to fix a frontal sinus fracture. So, no doubt Hischier is sensitive to that area. Without hesitation, the captain dropped the gloves and with one blow dropped Granlund. It was great to see Hischier stand up for himself and help rev up his bench at the same time.

"He cross checked me after the faceoff," Hischier said. "I have to stick up for myself and not let guys do that."