12/3 Devils at Predators: 3 Things to Know

The Devils (10-7-6) face the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena (11-8-3) this afternoon. Here's what you need to know:
1) After an emotional 4-3 overtime loss to Chicago, currently the best team in the league, the Devils look to get back in the win column tonight and take 4 out of 8 points on the road this past week. They played one of their best games of the season on Thursday night and while they didn't walk away with the two points, their performance was another step towards progress. In keeping with that theme, the Devils worked on clearing the crease yesterday in their video sessions and in practice. Allowing Grade A chances and second and third opportunities, like they have been recently, is not a recipe for success and head coach John Hynes is looking for improvement in that area today against Nashville.

2) Nashville is a team that traditionally likes to play a stingy defensive game and, as their name suggests, prey on the opposition's mistakes. They are faster and have more offensive weapons than in years past, and play a more up tempo game, but they are still one of the stingiest teams in the league when it comes to goals allowed. The Devils will have to keep their foot on the gas as much as possible in the offensive zone and stay out of the box if they want to win this game. Nashville's power play is 23.2% effective.
3) It is expected that Pekka Renne will be in goal for the Preds, but we won't find out who is starting for the Devils until Hynes meets with the media at 11:45 a.m. He was asked about it yesterday, but he didn't have an answer instead saying he would talk to both goalies after practice, see how they felt and then make a decision.
Ken Daneyko and I will give you the latest updates on the Pregame Show on Facebook Live at 12:45 p.m. You can watch the game on MSG+ or listen to it on WFAN or The One Jersey Network. Puck drops at 2 p.m.