Devils Look to Halt Slide Against Senators Tonight

NEWARK, N.J. — The New Jersey Devils face off against the Ottawa Senators tonight at 7 p.m. ET at Prudential Center, seeking to overcome their recent struggles after a disappointing loss this past Thursday against the Calgary Flames.

Following a 5-3 defeat, the Devils (37-27-6) are determined to bounce back as they contend for playoff positioning late in the season. “We have to be better at closing out games,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “We can’t afford to let opportunities slip away this time of year.”

Despite a lackluster late-game performance against the Flames, the Devils managed to earn two points earlier this week against the Montreal Canadiens, showcasing an inconsistent trend. With only six games in the next 10 days, Keefe chose to cancel Friday’s practice, emphasizing the importance of rest and recovery for his squad.

The Senators (36-27-5) enter the matchup looking to break a two-game losing streak. They were defeated in their last outing against the Montreal Canadiens and are eager to regain momentum against a familiar foe. “We can’t let our mistakes shape who we are,” said Senators captain Brady Tkachuk. “Tonight’s an opportunity to show what we’re capable of.”

For tonight’s game, both teams have made minor adjustments to their rosters. The Devils are expected to lineup with Timo Meier alongside Nico Hischier and Stefan Noesen, while Dawson Mercer rejoins the offensive unit after recovering from a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, the Senators’ verified lineup includes Tkachuk centering a line with Tim Stutzle and Fabian Zetterlund.

The Devils hope to improve on their recent home record of 32-18-2-2. Their previous encounter ended in a slim 2-1 loss at home to the Senators earlier this season, where Ottawa’s goaltender Anton Forsberg excelled, blocking 25 of 26 shots.

As for the injury report, the Devils will be without Ondrej Palat, who is currently nursing a lower-body injury, while Dougie Hamilton’s return from injury remains uncertain. The Senators’ defenseman Nick Jensen is expected to miss his third straight game due to a lower-body injury.

Tonight’s game marks the final meeting of the regular season between these two teams, with their previous matchups being split (1-1). It promises to be a critical game for both teams as they jockey for playoff positions in the congested Eastern Conference standings.

Fans can follow the action live on MSGSN2, MSGSN, or TVAS2, with the puck dropping at 7 p.m. ET.