Ottawa has opened the NHL season with one of the league’s most encouraging records. The Senators arrive in Newark at 4-1-0, while the New Jersey Devils enter Monday’s contest at 2-2-0 after an emphatic win over Vancouver.
The teams meet Monday, October 12, at Prudential Center, with the opening faceoff scheduled for 7:08 p.m. ET. Ottawa can improve to 5-1-0, but New Jersey will look to close its homestand by stopping the Senators’ momentum.
Ottawa’s strong start has come from timely scoring, dependable goaltending, and meaningful contributions from its top players. The Senators’ latest win was a 3-2 shootout decision over Nashville on Saturday, giving them another opportunity to prove that their early success is more than a short-term surge.
A victory in New Jersey would be Ottawa’s most impressive result of the young season. The Devils have enough speed and offensive skill to expose mistakes, especially if the Senators struggle to control the middle of the ice.
New Jersey also has reasons to feel positive. The Devils defeated Vancouver 4-1 on Saturday at Prudential Center, producing their most complete performance so far. Nico Hischier scored twice and added an assist, Jesper Bratt collected a goal and an assist, and Jack Hughes recorded two assists.
Tim Stützle has been the central figure in Ottawa’s fast start. The German center has four goals and four assists through five games, giving him eight points overall. He also scored on the power play and added an assist in the shootout victory over Nashville.
His value extends beyond the scoresheet. Stützle can accelerate through the neutral zone, create passing options under pressure, and capitalize when defenders give him room near the crease. New Jersey will need to limit his time with the puck before he reaches dangerous areas.
Hischier provides a comparable challenge at the other end. His three-point showing against Vancouver included the 200th goal of his NHL career, and two of his goals came during a Devils power play.
| Player | Team | Early-season production | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Stützle | Ottawa | 4 goals, 4 assists, 8 points | Creates speed and offense through the middle |
| Nico Hischier | New Jersey | 2 goals, 1 assist in the latest game | Leads the attack and drives special teams |
| Linus Ullmark | Ottawa | 4-0-0, 1.34 goals-against average, .942 save percentage | Can erase mistakes with timely saves |
| Jesper Bratt | New Jersey | 1 goal and 1 assist against Vancouver | Provides speed and power-play creativity |
Linus Ullmark has strengthened Ottawa’s position even further. He is 4-0-0 in four starts, has allowed only five goals, and owns a 1.34 goals-against average with a .942 save percentage. Those numbers give the Senators a reliable foundation in what could become a close road game.
Ottawa must avoid unnecessary penalties. New Jersey converted three of four power-play chances against Vancouver, with Hischier scoring twice and Bratt adding another man-advantage goal.
The Devils’ top unit can quickly change the direction of a game. Repeated opportunities for Hischier, Bratt, and Hughes would place heavy pressure on Ottawa’s penalty killers and could neutralize the Senators’ advantage at five-on-five.
The matchup between Stützle and Hischier is especially compelling. Both centers can produce offense, contribute on special teams, and turn a routine shift into a scoring chance. The player who controls the pace of his line may give his team the clearest advantage.
Ottawa has already shown that it can win close games, while New Jersey enters with the confidence created by a convincing home victory. That combination should produce a competitive matchup from the opening shift.
The Senators’ formula is straightforward: keep the game disciplined, protect Ullmark from extended pressure, and let Stützle attack with speed. The Devils will counter by leaning on their top forwards and looking for more power-play opportunities.
With Stützle creating chances, Ullmark performing at an elite early-season level, and New Jersey’s power play clicking, this game offers a clear test of whether Ottawa’s opening surge can continue.
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