Fisher is quick to credit others for helping him reach 1,000 games.
"It'll be a special game for sure," Fisher said. "I guess it's kind of a big deal. I just feel like I've been blessed to play this long and fortunate. I guess when you get an accomplishment like this it never happens, especially in team sports, without the help of trainers and coaches, teammates.
"Yeah it's a personal deal, but I also have to thank a lot of people that helped it happen because there's so many people that have helped along the way that I'm obviously very thankful for."
The Predators have won five games in a row and have collected points in 10 consecutive games (7-0-3). If they earn at least one point against the Devils, they will set a new franchise record for a longest point streak.
"There's a lot of work to do, but this is fun," Fisher said. "Guys are playing well together, and you can just tell the difference, there's no question."
Forward Devante Smith-Pelly will make his debut for the Devils against the Predators. He was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens prior to the NHL Trade Deadline on Monday and is excited to get into the lineup with his new teammates.
"After being moved, it was a quick turnaround," Smith-Pelly said. "It was a late flight so I had to catch up on some rest, and it was good to get on the ice yesterday. I'm happy to be playing tonight."
New Jersey claimed defenseman David Warsofsky off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday. Warsofsky is expected to debut with the Devils on a pairing with Jon Merrill.
Here are the projected lineups:
DEVILS
Reid Boucher - Adam Henrique - Devante Smith-Pelly
Sergey Kalinin - Travis Zajac - Kyle Palmieri
Joseph Blandisi - Jacob Josefson - Tyler Kennedy
Tuomo Ruutu - Stephen Gionta - Jordin Tootoo
Andy Greene - Adam Larsson
John Moore - David Schlemko
David Warsofsky - Jon Merrill
Keith Kinkaid
Cory Schneider
Scratched: Bobby Farnham, Damon Severson
Injured: Patrik Elias (knee), Mike Cammalleri (hand), Ryane Clowe (concussion), Jiri Tlusty (upper body)
PREDATORS
Calle Jarnkrok - Ryan Johansen - James Neal
Filip Forsberg - Mike Ribeiro - Craig Smith
Colin Wilson - Mike Fisher - Viktor Arvidsson
Miikka Salomaki - Paul Gaustad - Austin Watson
Roman Josi - Shea Weber
Mattias Ekholm - Petter Granberg
Anthony Bitetto - Ryan Ellis
Pekka Rinne
Carter Hutton
Scratched: Barret Jackman
Injured: Eric Nystrom (broken foot), Gabriel Bourque (upper body)
Status report:The Devils held an optional morning skate. … Kinkaid will start for New Jersey. … Rinne was the first goaltender off of the ice for the Predators at the morning skate and is expected to start.
Who's hot: Palmieri leads the Devils with 23 goals and 40 points. … Smith has two goals and three assists in his past two games.
