The Ottawa Senators have opened the NHL season with confidence, production, and reliable goaltending. At 4-1-0, they visit the New Jersey Devils on Monday, October 12, aiming to prove that their early success is more than a brief hot streak.
The game begins shortly after 7 p.m. ET at Prudential Center in Newark. New Jersey enters at 2-2-0 after defeating Vancouver 4-1, setting up a meeting between two teams with plenty of momentum.
Ottawa Has Built an Impressive Early Record
Ottawa’s first five games have delivered nearly everything the team could have wanted. The Senators have combined timely scoring with dependable work in net, and their leading players have consistently influenced the outcome.
The latest example came Saturday, when Ottawa edged Nashville 3-2 in a shootout. That result kept the Senators near the top of the early Atlantic Division picture and created an opportunity to earn their most notable win yet on the road in New Jersey.
A victory over the Devils would provide another sign that Ottawa can handle difficult opponents away from home. It would also move the Senators to 5-1-0 and add more weight to growing expectations around the club.
Stützle Is Driving the Senators’ Attack
Tim Stützle has been Ottawa’s most dangerous offensive player through the opening week. The German center has generated eight points in five games, including four goals and four assists.
He scored on the power play and added an assist against Nashville, continuing a start that has made him one of the league’s most noticeable young stars. His value extends beyond the scoresheet: Stützle can accelerate through the neutral zone, create openings with his passing, and finish chances when defenders give him room.
New Jersey will need to limit his time and space. If Stützle gets regular possession near the slot or can carry the puck with speed, he could force the Devils into extended defensive shifts.
Key Numbers Entering Monday’s Game
| Category | Ottawa Senators | New Jersey Devils |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 4-1-0 | 2-2-0 |
| Most recent result | 3-2 shootout win over Nashville | 4-1 win over Vancouver |
| Leading storyline | Tim Stützle’s eight points | Nico Hischier’s three-point performance |
| Venue | Prudential Center, Newark | |
Ullmark Gives Ottawa Room for Error
Linus Ullmark has been just as important to Ottawa’s start as its offensive leaders. He is 4-0-0 in four starts and has posted a 1.34 goals-against average with a .942 save percentage.
Those figures give the Senators a major advantage in a matchup that could be decided by a few high-quality chances. New Jersey has enough speed and skill to create offense quickly, but Ullmark’s form means the Devils may need several strong opportunities before finding the net.
For Ottawa, the formula is straightforward: protect the middle of the ice, avoid unnecessary penalties, and trust Ullmark to handle the chances that get through.
New Jersey’s Top Line Is Finding Its Rhythm
The Devils are not entering this game as a struggling opponent. Their 4-1 win over Vancouver was their most complete performance of the young season, and captain Nico Hischier led the way with two goals and an assist.
One of Hischier’s goals marked the 200th of his NHL career. Jesper Bratt contributed a goal and an assist, while Jack Hughes recorded two assists, giving New Jersey’s top players a strong foundation to build on.
That production also showed how quickly the Devils can change a game when their core forwards are moving the puck effectively. Ottawa cannot afford to focus exclusively on Stützle while allowing Hischier, Bratt, or Hughes to operate freely.
Special Teams Could Decide the Result
The clearest warning for Ottawa comes from New Jersey’s power play. The Devils scored three times on four opportunities against Vancouver, with Hischier responsible for two of those goals and Bratt adding the other.
Ottawa’s penalty discipline could determine whether the Senators control the game at five-on-five or spend too much time defending. Repeated penalties would give New Jersey’s most talented attackers additional space and could quickly erase Ottawa’s goaltending advantage.
- Ottawa must keep its penalty count under control.
- New Jersey will look to create chances through Hischier, Bratt, and Hughes.
- The Senators need their penalty kill to challenge entries and protect the slot.
- Ullmark’s rebound control could be crucial during extended defensive sequences.
Stützle and Hischier Set Up a Compelling Center Battle
The individual matchup between Stützle and Hischier deserves particular attention. Stützle arrives as Ottawa’s leading offensive force, while Hischier is coming off a three-point showing and enters with confidence after reaching a career milestone.
Both centers contribute in several areas. They can create offense at even strength, help their teams on special teams, and turn routine puck possession into a scoring chance. The player who wins more shifts in the offensive zone could have a direct impact on the final score.
Senators vs. Devils Game Details
- Teams: Ottawa Senators vs. New Jersey Devils
- Date: Monday, October 12, 2026
- Start time: 7:08 p.m. ET
- Location: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
- Ottawa record: 4-1-0
- New Jersey record: 2-2-0
Ottawa has the stronger record, Stützle is producing at an elite pace, and Ullmark has been outstanding in goal. New Jersey counters with a dangerous power play and a top group that just delivered its best performance of the season.
That combination makes Monday’s matchup an important early test. A Senators win would reinforce the idea that Ottawa belongs among the Atlantic Division’s serious contenders, while a Devils victory would show that New Jersey’s strong performance against Vancouver was the beginning of a turnaround rather than an isolated result.
