Busy Devils Right Back at It, Face Senators on the Road
The New Jersey Devils are learning more about their team with each passing game as they look to bounce back from a recent loss. With the busiest schedule in the NHL so far this season, the Devils will visit the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, marking their seventh game in 14 days since starting the season overseas in Prague, Czechia, on October 4.
Devils Seeking Consistency After Loss
The Devils are coming off a 4-2 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday, which dashed their hopes of securing a three-game winning streak. Despite the loss, New Jersey has shown flashes of promise in the early stages of the season, and the team is focused on making the necessary adjustments to get back in the win column.
Captain Nico Hischier emphasized the importance of trusting the system and staying composed when faced with pressure.
“We just have to dig in, we have to feel comfortable in those kinds of games,” Hischier said. “Sometimes, the opponent is all over you, and we have to be comfortable in that, trust our system, trust our D-zone, and respect that. Trust that the game, if we keep doing the little things right, will come in our favor.”
One area where the Devils showed improvement in their recent game was in the forecheck, particularly in the third period. Jesper Bratt, who has been a key playmaker for New Jersey, noted that the team’s increased intensity on the forecheck helped create more scoring chances.
“We created more chances off of that, and that’s just how we have to play,” Bratt said. “If we didn’t have [goalie Jacob] Markstrom coming up with those huge saves in the beginning, the score could have been a lot different.”
Offensive Production from the Top Line
New Jersey’s top line has been driving much of their offensive production so far. Jack Hughes opened the scoring against the Hurricanes off assists from Bratt and Johnathan Kovacevic. Later, Hischier cut the Hurricanes’ lead to one with a goal assisted by Hughes and Bratt. However, despite the top line’s strong play, the Devils couldn’t complete the comeback as Carolina sealed the win with an empty-net goal.
Devils coach Sheldon Keefe acknowledged that while the top line was playing well, the team as a whole needed to step up.
“When that line was out for the most part, we were controlling play pretty good,” Keefe said. “But we were going uphill every time those guys came back to the bench, so not enough to beat a team like this just to have one line going.”
Paul Cotter has also been a standout for the Devils, leading the team with four goals in six games — already more than half of what he scored in 76 games with the Vegas Golden Knights last season.
Senators Riding Momentum After Wild Win
On the other side, the Ottawa Senators have played significantly fewer games than the Devils, with only three contests under their belt so far. However, their most recent game, an 8-7 overtime thriller against the Los Angeles Kings, showed that the Senators are capable of explosive offensive performances.
Ottawa overcame two separate two-goal deficits to secure the victory, with Josh Norris netting the game-winner in overtime.
“That was fun,” Norris said of the high-scoring affair. “I don’t think you get too many of those games. I think it was, whatever, 15 goals in one game, but you’ve got to take it as the game comes, and sometimes that happens. I thought we were resilient and hung in there.”
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Tim Stutzle has been leading the charge offensively for the Senators, tallying three goals and three assists through three games. Norris, who has battled through three shoulder surgeries in the past five seasons, is also making an impact with two goals and two assists.
Teammate Thomas Chabot praised Norris for his resilience.
“Couldn’t be happier for the guy,” Chabot said. “He’s been through a lot the last couple of years, and obviously as players, you know how hard it is mentally for him. Just seeing him back to the old Josh Norris that we know, and he gets a chance and finds the back of the net. That’s the guy that we all know, and that’s the guy that never lost confidence and trust in himself.”
What to Watch For
As the Devils and Senators conflict, the two teams will hope to expand on their new exhibitions in various ways. The Devils will plan to play a more complete game and get commitments from all through their setup, in addition to their top line. In the mean time, the Senators will hope to convey forward the hostile force they produced in their exhilarating win over the Kings.
The Devils’ bustling timetable could be an element, as they’ve had less rest than their rivals, however New Jersey not set in stone to capitalize on their chances out and about. On the other side, the Senators have had additional time among games and will hope to benefit from fresher legs as they go for the gold straight success.
With the two teams anxious to gather speed, Thursday’s matchup ought to give a lot of activity and interest as the Devils and Senators go head to head in Ottawa.