New Jersey Devils Aim to Conclude Road Trip with Win Against Ottawa Senators

The New Jersey Devils are set to conclude their two-game road trip with a match against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. The Devils are coming off a loss to the Carolina Hurricanes and are hoping to return to winning form against the Senators.

The match-up promises to be a compelling contest, with New Jersey boasting one of the league’s top penalty-killing units, while Ottawa possesses a potent power-play offense. The Devils’ penalty kill unit has been effective, allowing only one power-play goal against them so far this season, achieving a remarkable 93.8% success rate on penalties.

During the Devils’ latest practice session, head coach Sheldon Keefe made adjustments to the lines. Timo Meier was moved to play alongside Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer, aimed at adding offensive dynamism. Paul Cotter was also shifted to a line with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt to enhance their attacking prospects.

“He’s a guy that gives that group more offensive pop,” Keefe said about Meier’s lineup shift. “I wanted to give our previous lineup some time, but now it’s a good opportunity to look at something different.” On Cotter’s role, Keefe noted, “He’s a bigger body that can handle the rink really well. It’s about making the necessary plays and providing that on-ice presence.”

The Devils have several key offensive threats, including Paul Cotter and Jesper Bratt, who lead the team in points. Goaltenders Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen are vital in maintaining New Jersey’s defensive form, with Markstrom recently making critical saves against the Hurricanes.

For the Senators, their strong start to the season includes wins over the Florida Panthers and a thrilling 8-7 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Kings. Tim Stützle leads Ottawa with three goals and six points in the early stages of the season, a testament to his offensive capabilities.

Ottawa’s head coach, Sheldon Keefe, acknowledged the Senators’ strengths, “Their forward group plays with incredible pace and skill. We need to be extremely disciplined with the puck and robust defensively.” He added that the Devils must manage these aspects diligently to deter the Senators’ potential up the ice.

The Senators have been rotating their goaltenders, but Linus Ullmark is anticipated to be their primary choice. However, his status for the match is uncertain due to a strain, with his performance thus far noting a 2.58 goals-against average.

Injury concerns for both teams include Devils’ Luke Hughes with a shoulder injury and Senators’ Artem Zub, who is dealing with an upper-body injury. These absences may influence lineup decisions and game tactics.