The New Jersey Devils (16-12-1), reeling from a brutal five-game losing streak that has seen them outscored 20-7 and shut out twice, head north to face the Ottawa Senators (13-11-4) in an Atlantic Division battle at the Canadian Tire Centre. This matchup pits a Devils squad desperate for offensive spark amid key injuries against a Senators team that’s won three of its last five but leaky in net (No. 24 in GAA at 3.29). With both clubs hovering around .500, expect a bounce-back bid from New Jersey’s top line, but Ottawa’s home power play (22.2%, No. 8 in NHL) could exploit the Devils’ penalty kill woes (81.0%, No. 15). The first meeting this season adds intrigue—puck drop could hinge on goaltending stability.
Game Details
Venue: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario
Puckdrop: 7:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home Record | Road Record | Atlantic Division Stand |
| New Jersey Devils | 16-12-1 | 9-6-1 | 7-6-0 | 4-5-1 |
| Ottawa Senators | 13-11-4 | 7-5-2 | 6-6-2 | 3-4-2 |
New Jersey ranks No. 12 in goals per game (2.83) but has plummeted to No. 22 in goals against (3.07) during the skid. Ottawa sits No. 15 offensively (3.00 GPG) with a porous defense (No. 24, 3.29 GAA), but excels in shots against (25.4 per game, No. 4).
Injury Report
Injuries have ravaged both rosters, thinning New Jersey’s forward depth and Ottawa’s blue line—expect heavy minutes for stars and potential AHL call-ups.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Estimated Return |
| New Jersey Devils | Jack Hughes | C | Out (IR) | Finger | December 21 |
| Evgenii Dadonov | RW | Out | Undisclosed | December 17 | |
| Johnathan Kovacevic | D | Out (LTIR) | Knee | TBD (long-term) | |
| Zack MacEwen | RW | Out (IR) | Lower Body | December 9 | |
| Brett Pesce | D | Out (IR) | Upper Body | December 21 | |
| Ottawa Senators | Shane Pinto | C | Out (IR) | Lower Body | December 20 |
| Thomas Chabot | D | Out | Upper Body | December 15 | |
| Lars Eller | C | Day-to-Day | Undisclosed | December 9 |
Hughes’ absence (pre-injury: 1.13 PPG) cripples New Jersey’s top-six creation; Dadonov’s extended eval adds uncertainty. For Ottawa, Pinto’s grit (12G in 27GP) is missed on the bottom six, while Chabot’s shutdown role forces Jake Sanderson into 25+ minutes nightly.
Recent Team Forms
New Jersey’s skid has been nightmarish—zero goals in two of the last five—exposing goaltending volatility (team .901 SV%). Ottawa has stabilized at home (3-1 in last four) but blew a lead in Saturday’s loss.
New Jersey Devils Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 6 | vs. BOS | L 1-4 | Shutout bid fails late; Markstrom pulled after 3GA |
| Dec. 4 | @ NYR | L 0-3 | Blank sheet; 0/3 PP, 28 SOG |
| Dec. 2 | vs. VGK | L 3-5 | Hischier 1G; Defensive lapses yield 5GA |
| Nov. 30 | @ MTL | L 3-5 | Bratt 2A; Overs in high-event loss |
| Nov. 29 | vs. WSH | L 2-3 | OT defeat; Meier GWG denied |
Form: 0-5-0 (ATS: 1-4). Devils 4-6-0 in last 10 overall, averaging 1.4 GPG on the skid.
Ottawa Senators Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 6 | vs. STL | L 1-2 | Stutzle A; Ullmark 30 saves in tight loss |
| Dec. 4 | vs. NYR | L 2-4 | Pinto injured early; Blew 2-0 lead |
| Dec. 2 | @ MTL | W 5-2 | Batherson 2G; Dominant road W, 2/3 PP |
| Nov. 30 | @ DAL | L 1-6 | Blowout; 16 SOG, defensive meltdown |
| Nov. 28 | @ STL | L 3-4 | Stutzle G; Narrow defeat, 28 SOG |
Form: 1-4-0 (ATS: 2-3). Senators 4-5-1 in last 10, 3-2 SU at home with overs in 3 of 5 (avg. 6.2 goals).
Series History
Since Ottawa’s 1992 inception, New Jersey holds a narrow all-time edge in regular-season play, but the Senators have won two straight dating to March 2025. Playoff clashes (Devils 11-7) add rivalry heat.
All-Time Regular Season: Devils lead 71-54-5 (56.3% win rate)
Last 10 Meetings: Even at 5-5
Recent Results:
Mar. 22, 2025: Senators 3-2 (Devils; Stutzle GWG)
Jan. 19, 2025: Senators 4-3 OT (Devils)
Oct. 17, 2024: Devils 3-1 (Senators)
Apr. 6, 2024: Devils 6-2 (Senators)
Mar. 23, 2024: Devils 5-2 (Senators)
Series averages 6.1 goals, with overs in 6 of last 10. New Jersey is 3-2 SU in last five road games vs. Ottawa.
Key Player Matchups
Injuries force stars into outsized roles—watch for faceoff battles and power-play duels.
Nico Hischier (NJD, 10G-16A-26P) vs. Tim Stutzle (OTT, 11G-13A-24P): Hischier’s two-way dominance (53.2% FO, +0 rating) clashes with Stutzle’s speed (16.2% SOG); Stutzle has 5P in last three vs. NJD. Edge: Devils—Hischier’s series history (6P in last five).
Timo Meier (NJD, 11G-12A-23P) vs. Brady Tkachuk (OTT, 8G-9A-17P): Meier’s shot volume (89 SOG, 12.4%) tests Tkachuk’s grit (team-high 30 PIM); Tkachuk thrives at home (4G in last six). Edge: Toss-up; Meier’s PP threat (5 PPG).
Jesper Bratt (NJD, 5G-21A-26P) vs. Drake Batherson (OTT, 10G-14A-24P): Bratt’s playmaking (team-high 21A) exploits Ottawa’s PK (69.6%); Batherson’s sniping (17.5% SOG) counters on even strength. Edge: Senators—Batherson’s home hot streak (7P in last five).
Goalie Duel: Jake Allen/Jacob Markstrom (NJD, .901 SV% combined) vs. Linus Ullmark (OTT, .905 SV%): New Jersey’s tandem has faltered (.885 on skid); Ullmark’s rebound control shines at home. Edge: Senators if Eller plays.
Betting Trends
Puck Line: Ottawa 6-4 ATS at home; New Jersey 4-6 ATS on road.
Total: 5.5 (O -115; U -105). Overs in 7 of Devils’ last 10 road (avg. 6.4 goals); series overs 60%.
Other Trends:
Devils: 3-7 SU in last 10; 1-4 ATS as road dogs.
Senators: 5-5 ATS overall; Over in 6 of last 8 home.
Game Odds
New Jersey Devils 5.5
Ottawa Senators – 142
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 8, 2025
