(My Sportsbook) - Just four days after officially rejoining the New Jersey Devils, Brendan Shanahan is set to make his season debut tonight in a road matchup with the Nashville Predators at the Sommet Center.

Shanahan spent last season with the New York Rangers, recording 23 goals and 23 assists in 73 games. He then hit free agency this past offseason, but never got an offer from New York. He then decided during the season to return to the Devils, the club that drafted him second overall in the 1987 draft.

Shanahan agreed in principle to join New Jersey on January 10 and made if official last Thursday when he signed a one-year deal with the club. He joined the Devils on their current road trip on Friday prior to their game versus Columbus.

Shanahan, who said after Saturday's morning skate that he was targeting tonight's game for his return, leads all active NHL players in goals scored with 650, ranking 11th on the all-time list. He has also made eight All-Star Game appearances and has won three Stanley Cup championships. The gritty winger has appeared in 1,490 career games, adding 690 assists for 1,340 points.

With Shanahan in the lineup, the Devils will try to take over first place in the Atlantic Division, an impressive feat considering the club has been without franchise netminder Martin Brodeur since November 1 due to injury. New Jersey is one point behind the idle New York Rangers in the standings.

The Devils also wrap their six-game road trip tonight. They are 4-1-0 so far on the trek and knocked off the New York Islanders, 3-1, on Saturday. Zach Parise registered a goal and an assist and has now scored in four of his past five games. New Jersey's lone All-Star representative also has two assists over his last five games.

Travis Zajac and David Clarkson also tallied for the Devils, who are 14-7-2 on the road this season. Scott Clemmensen made 32 saves to earn his 17th win.

New Jersey has won five of its six all-time meetings with the Predators in Nashville, with that lone loss coming on January 3, 2004. The Devils have also won four of six and seven of their last 11 contests overall with Nashville.

The Predators play the second contest of back-to-back home games and are coming off their worst loss at the Sommet Center this year. Nashville hosted Atlanta on Saturday and was drilled, 7-2, by the Thrashers.

All-Star Shea Weber netted his 14th goal of the season, most among NHL defenseman this year, while Jordin Tootoo also scored in Nashville's third loss in its last four games.

Dan Ellis took the loss after being victimized for three goals on four shots through almost 11 minutes. Pekka Rinne finished the game by allowing four goals on 28 shots.

It marked the most goals the Predators have allowed this season since a 7-6 loss to Calgary on November 6. Nashville is 12-8-1 at home this year and will next take a three-game tour through western Canada. That trek begins with a test in Vancouver on January 28 after the All-Star break.