The Devils got out to a strong start, with Jack Hughes opening the scoring just 1:49 in, but the Preds did not look inclined to take it lying down. They went on the attack, and a really unfortunate pair of incidents let them tie the game at 8:39. Devils goalie Kaapo Kähkönen got taken out by one of his own teammates, then immediately hit by a Roman Josi slapshot that left him doubled over on the ice in pain as the puck trickled slowly past him into the net. Jake Allen came in in relief.
The Preds continued to pressure as the period continued, getting in Allen’s face and making him work for his saves.