Josi has goal, assist for Predators in win against Devils

NASHVILLE -- Roman Josi had a goal and an assist in his 700th NHL game, and the Nashville Predators defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-2 at Bridgestone Arena on Friday.

Josi's goal was his seventh of the season, second among NHL defensemen, and he has scored 20 points in 20 games this season. Juuse Saros made 23 saves for the Predators (11-8-1), who won for the second time in three games.
"You obviously remember when you first came here, 10 or 11 years ago now," Josi said. "It's 700 now. It's pretty cool. I'm definitely grateful to be able to play that many games, play that many games in Nashville with the same team. It's been an amazing ride. I'm definitely proud of it and I don't take it for granted, that's for sure."
Andreas Johnsson had a goal and an assist, and Jonathan Bernier made 27 saves for the Devils (8-6-4), who have lost five of six (1-3-2).
"That's probably the worst game I've seen us play," New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff said. "Didn't win the compete battles early. Didn't engage early. Conveniently second on a lot of plays. We wouldn't have beat anybody tonight. It's just the truth."

Josi gave the Predators a 1-0 lead at 7:31 of the first period. Bernier appeared to be in position to stop Josi's shot from the face-off circle, but the puck slid underneath him.
Josi, who has scored eight points (three goals, five assists) in his past six games, is fourth in Predators history in games played behind David Legwand (956), Shea Weber (763) and Martin Erat (723).
"That 700 games is very impressive," Nashville coach John Hynes said. "Not only 700 games, but how many meaningful games he's played in and been productive, so really happy for him. It's a special night for him. He obviously had the two points, but also blocked some shots, played well."

Philip Tomasino made it 2-0 at 3:30 of the second period when he deflected Nick Cousins pass at the top of the crease high to Bernier's stick side. It was the rookie forward's fourth goal of the season and first in nine games. It was scored less than 30 seconds after the Devils almost tied the game when Predators forward Tommy Novak cleared a loose puck out of the crease.
Mikael Granlund made it 3-0 at 6:45 of the third period, taking Matt Duchene's pass from behind the net and scoring from just outside the crease.
Johnsson cut it to 3-1 at 11:58 off a pass from Dawson Mercer after a turnover behind the Nashville net.
Alexandre Carrier extended the lead to 4-1 at 18:50, shooting from behind his own goal line into an empty net.
Tomas Tatar scored on a breakaway with 28 seconds remaining to make it 4-2.
"We were not in the game at all," Devils captain Nico Hischier said. "We were running around, no structure. They simply outcompeted us and we've got to bring our compete level every game to give you a chance to win a hockey game. Definitely did not have that the first two periods."
NOTES:Devils forward Nathan Bastian played 7:13 in his season debut after being claimed off waivers from the Seattle Kraken on Thursday. He was selected in the second round (No. 41) by New Jersey in the 2016 NHL Draft and scored 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 48 games before being selected by Seattle in the 2021 Expansion Draft. He scored two points (one goal, one assist) in 12 games with the Kraken. … Predators forward Ryan Johansen had two assists to extend his point streak to four games (one goal, six assists). … Nashville extended its point streak against New Jersey to 11 games (8-0-3), tied for its longest active run against an opponent (8-0-3 vs. Chicago Blackhawks dating to Jan. 9, 2020). … The Predators play at the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. ... Cale Makar of the Avalanche leads NHL defensemen with nine goals.