The Ottawa Senators have opened the NHL season with a burst of confidence, winning four of their first five games and quickly raising expectations around the club. Their next test comes Monday night against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center in Newark.
The game begins at 7:08 p.m. ET on October 12, with Ottawa attempting to improve to 5-1-0. New Jersey enters at 2-2-0 after delivering its most convincing performance of the young season against Vancouver.
Ottawa Brings a 4-1-0 Record Into Newark
The Senators’ early success has come from timely scoring, dependable goaltending, and strong performances from their most important players. A 3-2 shootout win over Nashville on Saturday gave Ottawa its fourth victory in five games and added another example of the team finding a way to finish close contests.
That result also set up a meaningful road challenge. The Devils have more than enough offensive talent to punish mistakes, so Ottawa will need to match its recent energy while avoiding the lapses that can quickly change a game away from home.
For the Senators, the assignment is straightforward:
- Protect the puck through the neutral zone.
- Limit New Jersey’s power-play opportunities.
- Give Linus Ullmark enough support to control the scoring chances.
- Allow Tim Stützle and Ottawa’s other top forwards to attack with speed.
Stützle Has Become Ottawa’s Main Offensive Engine
Tim Stützle has supplied the spark behind the Senators’ excellent opening week. The German center has collected four goals and four assists for eight points through five games, including a power-play goal and an assist in the win over Nashville.
His impact goes beyond the scoresheet. Stützle can accelerate through the middle of the ice, force defenders to retreat, and create passing options before opponents can set their coverage. When he finds open space near the crease, his quick release adds another layer of danger.
Ottawa will likely rely on him to generate offense against a New Jersey team that can pressure aggressively. If Stützle keeps producing, the Senators will have a strong chance to turn their fast start into something more substantial than an early-season streak.
Ullmark’s Form Has Given the Senators Room for Error
Ottawa’s attack has earned plenty of attention, but Linus Ullmark has been just as important. He is 4-0-0 in four starts and has allowed only five goals, producing a 1.34 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage.
Those numbers give the Senators a valuable advantage in a matchup that could be decided by one or two key saves. New Jersey owns several forwards who can create chances quickly, particularly when opponents lose coverage in front of the net.
Ullmark does not need to be perfect, but another composed performance would make it difficult for the Devils to capitalize on limited opportunities. Ottawa’s defensive structure will still matter, especially during extended shifts in its own zone.
New Jersey’s Power Play Is the Immediate Warning Sign
The Devils arrive with momentum after defeating the Vancouver Canucks 4-1 at home. Nico Hischier led the way with two goals and an assist, while Jesper Bratt scored once and added a helper. Jack Hughes also recorded two assists.
Hischier’s first goal marked the 200th of his NHL career, adding a milestone to an already impressive night. Two of his goals came on the power play, and New Jersey finished the game with three power-play goals on four chances.
That efficiency should command Ottawa’s attention. Hischier, Bratt, and Hughes can make opponents pay for even minor breakdowns, and repeated trips to the penalty box could erase the Senators’ advantage at five-on-five.
Discipline may therefore be the clearest path to an Ottawa victory. The Senators need to defend aggressively without reaching, holding, or taking unnecessary penalties in dangerous areas.
Two Centers Could Shape the Result
The individual battle between Stützle and Hischier offers one of the game’s central storylines. Stützle has been Ottawa’s most productive forward through the opening five contests, while Hischier enters after a three-point performance that helped revive New Jersey’s offense.
Both centers can contribute on special teams, create chances in transition, and influence the game without needing constant possession. The player who wins more shifts in the offensive zone could provide the decisive advantage.
Ottawa also needs to account for Hughes’ playmaking and Bratt’s ability to find open ice. New Jersey’s top group becomes especially dangerous when the Devils move the puck quickly and force defenders to turn toward their own net.
Game Details and Final Outlook
Matchup: Ottawa Senators at New Jersey Devils
Date: Monday, October 12, 2026
Time: 7:08 p.m. ET
Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Records: Ottawa 4-1-0; New Jersey 2-2-0
Ottawa has the stronger record and the hotter goaltender, while New Jersey owns home ice and enters after an explosive special-teams display. The Senators’ best route forward is to stay disciplined, keep Ullmark protected, and let Stützle dictate the pace.
A win would move Ottawa to 5-1-0 and provide an important road statement against a talented opponent. For Canadian hockey fans, the main question is whether Stützle and the Senators can maintain their early momentum before the Devils’ top unit takes control.