Predators edge Devils to stay undefeated

NEWARK, N.J. — Having opened the season with two home wins, the Predators ventured out of Nashville for the first time this season, hoping to perfect their game and maintain their undefeated record.

Against the winless Devils, the Predators remained unblemished, improving to 3-0-0 with a 3-1 victory Tuesday at Prudential Center.

"Most of the guys know how it is," said Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne, who made 22 saves and now has a 0.67 goals-against average this season. "You've got to be prepared for every single game. You've got to be emotionally and physically involved in the game, and I think we've done that so far. It's a sign of a good team."

Neither team looked particularly energetic to start, and it took a power play midway through the opening period for the Predators' offense to find its groove. The Predators targeted Devils goaltender Keith Kinkaid with several attempts before defenseman Roman Josi fired a slap shot from the right circle that slipped through Kinkaid's legs for a 1-0 lead.

New Jersey began to threaten in the second period as the Predators' push waned, at one point going nearly seven minutes without a shot on goal and finishing with a total of four in the period. Rinne, who was making his franchise-record 384th appearance Tuesday, kept Nashville in front.

"Obviously, we're happy with being 3-0, but today, we didn't play that well, especially in the second period," Josi said. "They outplayed us pretty badly."

Facing a six-on-four disadvantage with less than three minutes remaining, Josi cleared the puck from the Predators' defensive zone and into the empty net for his second goal of the game. After the Devils finally beat Rinne on a goal from forward Kyle Palmieri with 1:40 remaining as he barely missed out on yet another shutout. Predators forward Eric Nystrom added another empty-netter to ease any late-game tension.

"Our goaltender's been real good," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. "I think our defense has done a good job from the tops of the circles down. There hasn't been too many chances where there's been guys left uncovered, so I think we're doing a good job protecting the front of our net."

Despite the victory and the unbeaten record, the Predators know that they can improve. The offense is slacking, with five non-empty-net goals through three games. With their next stop in New York to face the Islanders on Thursday, the Predators will work on remedying any problem areas.

"Just a few things to tweak," forward Craig Smith said, "but can't argue with wins."

Reach Adam Vingan on Twitter @AdamVingan.