"The earlier you start winning ... the more flexibility you've got to going back into the season and probably enjoy playing your footy more," Sydney-born Nightingale said on the platform of six losses on the trot. But the prudent will note the early-season table toppers have lost a lion's share of those games by narrow margins.
Auckland-born teammate Leeson Ah Mau, 25, said defence was their mantra this week.
"I'm enjoying my footy in the middle this year but we, the forwards, have a big job ahead of us here," said the prop who will have Mitch Rein, captain Ben Creagh, Tyson Frizell, Joel Thompson and Mike Cooper alongside him, to walk into the eye of the Storm.
Ah Mau, a Samoan international, is looking forward to having his parents and sisters at McLean Park today.
Coming on a downward spiral, Nightingale said a change of scenery (Napier) was going to be a fillip for the Dragons.
"Ideally we're not going to Melbourne, facing them ... it's their stronghold down there and getting away from Sydney is really nice too."
He regards their run of losses "a bit of a head spinner" but the collective felt their matches against the Roosters and Bulldogs weren't quite up to scratch, but had no cigar against the others, as a spate of injuries added to their woes.
Tonight the expectation is of incremental improvement with the return of marquee players.
He felt if the media had their way, halfback Benji Marshall should be having a big game every time but all senior players needed to share that burden.
Returning to Wellington to face the Warriors in a fortnight was actually beneficial because they would remain in travel mode, as opposed to chopping and changing their preparation between home and road games.
"We've also got the benefit of spending a lot of time together," said Nightingale who is keen to tour with the Kiwis at the end of the year.
While a poster boy for a squeaky clean image, Nightingale isn't averse to the idea of having a good time.
"I think, probably, the main part I spend time with my teammates and I'm very careful at those times.
"On the times I'm with my friends, it's a lot easier to fly under the radar because you're with a group of blokes who look after you, because there are certain situations where you can get exposed but I have a great group around me," Nightingale said, emphasising his wife plays just as much of a pivotal role.
This week he signed a two-year deal to remain with the Dragons after a concerted effort from the Warriors to lure him.
MATCH DETAILS
WHO: Melbourne Storm v St George Illawarra Dragons.
WHEN: Today, 7.30pm.
WHERE: McLean Park, Napier.
STORM: 1. Cameron Munster, 2. Marika Koroibete, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Tohu Harris, 5. Richard Kennar, 6. Blake Green, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Tim Glasby, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Kenny Bromwich, 13. Ryan Hinchcliffe.
Interchange: 14. Dale Finucane, 15. Mahe Fonua, 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 17. Christian Welch.
DRAGONS: 1. Josh Dugan, 2. Justin Hunt, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Peter Mata'utia, 5. Jason Nightingale, 6. Gareth Widdop, 7. Benji Marshall, 8. Leeson Ah Mau, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Ben Creagh (c), 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Joel Thompson, 13. Mike Cooper.
Interchange: 14. Jack de Belin, 15. Jake Marketo, 16. Heath L'Estrange, 17. Will Matthews, 18. Drew Hutchison, 20. Mark Ioane.