The Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils are set to face off at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 7:00 PM ET. This matchup features two teams battling for playoff positioning in their respective conferences, with the Senators holding onto a Wild Card spot in the East and the Devils looking to bounce back after recent struggles.
Team Overview
Ottawa Senators (36-27-5)
- Current Form: The Senators are coming off a 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, marking their second consecutive defeat after a six-game winning streak. Despite the recent setbacks, Ottawa remains in the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, three points ahead of the Montreal Canadiens.
- Road Record: Ottawa has been solid on the road, posting a 17-14-3 record this season.
- Key Players:
- Tim Stützle: Leads the team with 69 points (24 goals, 45 assists) and has been a consistent offensive force all season.
- Brady Tkachuk: The captain has 27 goals and 112 penalty minutes, showcasing his physicality and scoring ability. Tkachuk also leads the team with 13 power-play goals.
- Drake Batherson: Has been in excellent form, recording six points in his last five games.
- Goaltending:
- Anton Forsberg is expected to start. Forsberg made 25 saves in Ottawa’s 2-1 victory over New Jersey earlier this season and has been reliable in key moments.
New Jersey Devils (37-27-6)
- Current Form: The Devils are looking to rebound after a 5-3 loss to the Calgary Flames on Thursday, where they surrendered a third-period lead. New Jersey has lost two straight games and is clinging to the third spot in the Metropolitan Division, just one point ahead of the New York Islanders.
- Home Record: New Jersey has been strong at home, boasting a 20-12-3 record at Prudential Center.
- Key Players:
- Nico Hischier: Leads the team with 29 goals and is on a five-game point streak, recording six points (3 goals, 3 assists) during that span.
- Jack Hughes: The dynamic forward has 68 points (25 goals, 43 assists) and remains a key playmaker for the Devils.
- Dougie Hamilton: The veteran defenseman has contributed 15 goals and 40 assists, providing offensive support from the blue line.
- Goaltending:
- Vitek Vanecek is expected to start. Vanecek has been solid this season but will need to bounce back after allowing five goals in his last outing.
Head-to-Head Matchup
- Season Series: This is the third and final meeting between the two teams this season. The Devils won the first matchup 3-1 in Ottawa on October 17, while the Senators took the second game 2-1 in New Jersey on January 19.
- Key Stats:
- Ottawa averages 3.18 goals per game while allowing 2.9 goals per game.
- New Jersey averages 3.3 goals per game, ranking fourth in the NHL, while conceding 2.8 goals per game.
- Both teams rely heavily on their power play, with Ottawa converting at 22.5% and New Jersey at 23.1%.
Projected Starting Lineups
Ottawa Senators:
- Forwards:
- Tkachuk – Stützle – Batherson
- Giroux – Pinto – Joseph
- Greig – Kastelic – Kelly
- Chartier – Gambrell – Watson
- Defense:
- Chabot – Zub
- Sanderson – Hamonic
- Brännström – Holden
- Goaltender: Anton Forsberg (expected starter)
New Jersey Devils:
- Forwards:
- Hischier – Bratt – Mercer
- Hughes – Meier – Palat
- Haula – Lazar – Foote
- McLeod – Bastian – Wood
- Defense:
- Hamilton – Siegenthaler
- Marino – Bahl
- Smith – Nemec
- Goaltender: Vitek Vanecek (expected starter)
Injury Report
Ottawa Senators:
- Josh Norris (shoulder): Out for the season.
- Thomas Chabot (lower body): Day-to-day.
New Jersey Devils:
- Ondrej Palat (undisclosed): Questionable.
- Curtis Lazar (undisclosed): Questionable.
Storylines to Watch
- Playoff Implications: Both teams are in the thick of the playoff race, making this a must-win game for both sides.
- Nico Hischier’s Hot Streak: Hischier has been on fire recently and will look to extend his point streak against Ottawa’s defense.
- Brady Tkachuk’s Physicality: Tkachuk’s ability to combine scoring with physical play could be a game-changer for the Senators.
- Goaltending Battle: Forsberg and Vanecek will play pivotal roles in determining the outcome of this tightly contested matchup.
