Brendan Shanahan didn't waste any time scoring a power play goal for the Devils.
It came at 1:38 of the second period after the Devils were given a two-man power play advantage following penalties to David Legwand and Dan Hamhuis. They had the 5-on-3 for 1:57.
With 38 seconds remaining in the two-man advantage, Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne made a blocker save on a Brian Rolston shot and the puck went to Shanahan in the left circle. The veteran winger turned in the circle, beat sliding Predators' defenseman Greg Zanon and fired a shot from below the left circle inside the far right post.
It was the 651st goal of Shanahan's career.
David Clarkson gave the Devils a 2-0 lead at 3:21. Rolston took a slapper from well above the slot and Clarkson redirected in through Rinne's legs as he stood between the hash marks in the slot. It was Clarkson's 10th goal.
The two goals came 1:43 apart.
Former Devils forward Jim McKenzie, who lives in Nashville, attended the game.
Staked to a 2-0 lead, goalie Scott Clemmensen was fortunate at 13:06 not to give one back. A shot from the left point by Ville Koistinen deflected off the Devils' goalie and went through the crease.
Defenseman Bryce Salvador nearly gave the Devils a 3-0 lead with 59 seconds left in the second period when his shot hit Rinne's pad and then the left post.