Devils vs Predators March 26: Nashville Eyes 6th Straight Win

With the NHL regular season entering its final stretch, few matchups on March 26, 2026, carry more weight than the Nashville Predators hosting the New Jersey Devils at Bridgestone Arena (puck drop at 7 p.m. CT). Nashville is riding a scorching five-game winning streak, clinging to the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. New Jersey, though eliminated from playoff contention, has quietly become one of the hottest teams in hockey since late February. Whether you're betting on the outcome, picking up a fantasy roster spot, or simply deciding where to focus your Thursday night viewing, this deep-dive breakdown covers every angle of this compelling regular-season finale matchup.

1. Nashville Predators — The Streaking Home Favorite

Key Features

• Record: 34-28-9, 77 points — final wild-card spot, Western Conference
• Active five-game winning streak with 20 goals scored during the run
• Explosive offensive form, including a historic five-goal first period against San Jose on March 25
• Home-ice advantage at sold-out Bridgestone Arena

Pros

• Momentum is undeniable — Nashville has looked like a different team over the past two weeks
• Depth scoring has arrived at exactly the right time, with multiple lines contributing
• Playing at home, where crowd energy amplifies a team already brimming with confidence
• Three-point cushion over the LA Kings means every win tightens the playoff grip considerably

Cons

• Played a high-energy game just 24 hours earlier; fatigue could be a factor
• Playoff pressure is real — one stumble could tighten the wild-card race overnight
• The Devils' recent form makes this a trap-game candidate for a streaking side

Overall Rating: 9/10 — Nashville is the clear story of the night and the favorite in this matchup. Read the official Predators game-day notes on NHL.com.

2. New Jersey Devils — The Dangerous Spoilers

Key Features

• Record: 36-32-2, 74 points — eliminated from playoff contention
• 8-3-0 since February 28, one of the best records in the NHL over that span
• Defeated the Dallas Stars 6-4 on Tuesday, showcasing elite offensive firepower
• Nothing to lose — a free-rolling squad with young stars playing their best hockey

Pros

• Entering the game with equal momentum — four wins in their last five contests
• Pressure-free environment allows players to express themselves without playoff anxiety
• Offensive production is elite right now, with multiple 50+ point contributors
• Beat Nashville 3-2 in overtime in their January meeting in Newark — this squad is no pushover

Cons

• 11 points out of a wild-card spot — no stakes means no desperation
• Playing on the road after a physical, high-scoring game against Dallas
• Historically, eliminated teams on the road against streaking playoff contenders face an uphill battle

Overall Rating: 7.5/10 — A genuinely dangerous opponent who could play spoiler. ESPN's full game preview breaks down both sides in depth.

3. Filip Forsberg — Nashville's Playoff X-Factor

Key Features

• 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) during the five-game winning streak alone
• 33 goals on the season — on pace for one of his finest individual campaigns
• Elite two-way play with franchise-level leadership at critical moments

Pros

• Playing his best hockey of the season at the most important time of year
• Opponents must gameplan specifically for him, opening ice for linemates
• His on-ice presence elevates the entire Nashville lineup

Cons

• Heavy defensive attention from New Jersey likely throughout the night
• Streaks, by definition, eventually end — regression to the mean is always a risk

Overall Rating: 9.5/10 — Forsberg is the engine of Nashville's surge and the most important player to watch Thursday night.

4. Jack Hughes — New Jersey's Olympic Champion and Offensive Catalyst

Key Features

• Scored the gold-medal winning goal for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics
• 20 goals and 57 points this season — co-leading the Devils in scoring
• World-class skating, playmaking, and an elevated confidence following Olympic glory

Pros

• Arguably the most gifted offensive player in the game right now at his peak
• Olympic heroics have given him an extra edge of confidence and focus entering the postseason
• Capable of changing the game in a single shift

Cons

• Nashville's defense will key on Hughes from the opening faceoff
• Without playoff stakes for his team, sustaining intensity over 60 minutes is a mental challenge

Overall Rating: 9/10 — Hughes is the reason Devils fans show up even in an eliminated season. Full Devils lines and notes ahead of game 71 are available on MSN.

5. Ryan O'Reilly and Steven Stamkos — Nashville's Veteran Leadership Core

Key Features

• O'Reilly leads Nashville with 66 points (24g-42a) — elite two-way center who controls games
• Stamkos has 35 goals this season, his eighth career season reaching that mark — a remarkable consistency milestone
• Both veterans bring Stanley Cup-winning experience and composure to high-pressure situations

Pros

• O'Reilly's 66 points provide the kind of reliable offensive output that playoff teams are built around
• Stamkos at 35 goals proves his elite finishing hasn't dimmed — a genuine top-line weapon
• Veteran experience in must-win situations is invaluable during a wild-card push

Cons

• Both players carry elevated expectations; off nights at this stage of the season hurt more
• Opposing teams scheme heavily to neutralize proven veterans

Overall Rating: 9/10 — One of the league's most experienced top-six combinations, and a key reason Nashville is in playoff position at all.

6. Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier — The Devils' Supporting Cast

Key Features

• Jesper Bratt co-leads New Jersey with 57 points (18g-39a) — an elite playmaker in full flight
• Nico Hischier brings 24 goals and 53 points as the captain and two-way anchor of the lineup
• Together they form a dangerous secondary threat that forces opponents to respect multiple lines

Pros

• Bratt's playmaking disguises his goal threat — defenders consistently misjudge his intentions
• Hischier's leadership and two-way reliability make him one of the most complete centers in the East
• Their combined production keeps defenses honest, freeing Hughes to operate in space

Cons

• Without playoff implications, maintaining edge and intensity is the perpetual challenge for this group
• On the road against a fired-up Nashville crowd, the mental side becomes a genuine factor

Overall Rating: 8/10 — An elite secondary unit that makes New Jersey legitimately dangerous even as spoilers. Full game preview for Devils at Predators is available here.

7. Bridgestone Arena Home-Ice Advantage — The Invisible Factor

Key Features

• One of the loudest and most passionate NHL arenas during playoff pushes
• Nashville's crowd elevates a team that is already playing with house money and momentum
• The atmosphere in late March, when the Predators are fighting for postseason life, is genuinely electric

Pros

• Home-ice advantage statistically translates to measurable performance benefits league-wide
• A fifth-straight home win would send Nashville into the final games of the season with maximum confidence
• The crowd functions as a sixth player in close, physical matchups

Cons

• Devils have won on the road recently — road games don't automatically favor the home team
• Pressure from the crowd can cut both ways if the Predators take an early deficit

Overall Rating: 8/10 — Home-ice is a genuine, quantifiable advantage Nashville will lean on heavily Thursday night.

Comparison Summary

Bottom line: Nashville enters this game as the clear favorite — in form, at home, and with everything to play for. The Devils are the most dangerous possible opponent for a streaking team, bringing their own five-game momentum and a roster loaded with offensive talent. This is not a game Nashville can sleepwalk through.

• Best current form: Tied — both teams won on Tuesday night and have been excellent over their last five games
• Best individual player: Filip Forsberg (12 points in five games is historically elite production)
• Best overall roster depth: Edge to Nashville, whose veterans O'Reilly and Stamkos complement a surging Forsberg
• Highest stakes: Nashville — a loss could shrink their wild-card lead to one point
• Best spoiler potential: New Jersey — 8-3-0 since February 28 and nothing to lose
• Predicted winner: Nashville, extending their streak to six games in front of a raucous home crowd

For the full analytical breakdown from CBS Sports, read their focused preview of Nashville taking on the Devils squad finally finding their footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does the Predators vs. Devils game start on March 26, 2026?

Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Check your local listings or the NHL app for broadcast details in your region.

What is Nashville's current playoff situation?

The Predators hold 77 points (34-28-9) and currently occupy the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. They hold a three-point lead over the Los Angeles Kings, meaning every game from here through the end of the regular season carries maximum stakes.

Are the Devils still in playoff contention?

No. New Jersey sits 11 points out of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference and has been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. However, their 8-3-0 run since February 28 and Tuesday's 6-4 win over Dallas signals a team playing loose, confident hockey with nothing to lose — exactly the kind of opponent that gives playoff contenders nightmares.

Has Jack Hughes been in good form heading into this game?

Yes. Hughes has been playing some of his best hockey of the season. He arrives fresh off his gold-medal winning goal for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics and is posting 20 goals and 57 points on the season, co-leading the Devils. His performance in Newark against Dallas on Tuesday only added to his growing momentum.

Game-Night Viewing and Analysis Tips

• Watch the first period closely. Nashville exploded for five first-period goals against San Jose on Tuesday. Whether they can maintain that pace — or if fatigue after a back-to-back sets in early — will set the tone for the entire game.
• Track Filip Forsberg's linemates. When Forsberg is generating the way he has been, it's often his supporting cast that finds extra ice. Pay attention to who is benefiting from the defensive attention he draws.
• Monitor Jack Hughes vs. Nashville's top defensive pair. This individual matchup will likely decide New Jersey's offensive output. If Hughes can generate clean zone entries, the Devils have the depth to capitalize.
• The Los Angeles Kings scoreboard watch is real. Nashville fans will have one eye on Bridgestone and one on wherever LA is playing. A simultaneous Kings loss and Predators win would be a significant statement in the wild-card race.
• Remember January 29. Nashville lost 3-2 in overtime the last time these teams met in Newark. The Predators will have that result in mind and will be motivated to close this season series on the right side of the ledger.
• Follow the second period momentum shifts. In back-to-back situations for both clubs, energy management matters. Teams that adjust between periods in game two of a back-to-back often have a decisive edge by the third.