Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast (MSGSN, NHL Network / SN+, TVAS in Canada).
Eastern Conference clubs open their season series in a matchup of early form contrasts: Ottawa has been one of the Atlantic’s strongest teams through five games, while New Jersey is looking to build consistency at home after a mixed start.
Current Projected Rosters / Line Combinations
Senators (projected):
Forwards:
Andre Burakovsky – Tim Stützle – Drake Batherson
Ridly Greig – Dylan Cozens – Fabian Zetterlund
Michael Amadio – Shane Pinto – Claude Giroux
Warren Foegele – Stephen Halliday – Nick Cousins Defense:
Thomas Chabot – Jordan Spence
Tyler Kleven – Carter Yakemchuk
Nikolas Matinpalo – Hoyt Stanley Goalies: Linus Ullmark (projected starter; 4-0-0, 1.34 GAA, .942 SV%) / Samuel Ersson Jake Sanderson (lower body) and Cameron Crotty (illness) are day-to-day and could be available or scratched.
Devils (projected):
Forwards:
Timo Meier – Nico Hischier – Luke Evangelista
Jesper Bratt – Jack Hughes – Anthony Mantha
Arseny Gritsyuk – Evan Rodrigues – Dawson Mercer
Amadeus Lombardi – Cody Glass – Jesper Boqvist Defense:
Luke Hughes – Brett Pesce
Jonas Siegenthaler – Dougie Hamilton
Brenden Dillon – Declan Chisholm Goalies: Jake Allen (projected starter) / Nico Daws Connor Brown (lower body) remains out.
Injury Reports
Senators:
William Eklund (LW, ankle) — out (IR; extended absence into 2027).
Kurtis MacDermid (LW, upper body) — out (IR; targeted late October).
Artem Zub (D, knee) — out (IR; day-to-day updates, possible near return).
Jake Sanderson (D, lower body) and Cameron Crotty (D, illness) — day-to-day.
Devils:
Nick Bjugstad (C, pectoral) — out (LTIR; expected January return).
Seamus Casey (D, knee) — out (surgery; 8-10 weeks, targeted mid-to-late November).
Connor Brown (RW, lower body) — out (expected mid-October return).
Johnathan Kovacevic has been activated but may be scratched.
Both blue lines are missing key pieces, though Ottawa’s goaltending has been elite early.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Offense: Tim Stützle (hot early with 8 points in 5 games) and the Batherson-Burakovsky line against Jack Hughes / Nico Hischier’s units. Claude Giroux’s veteran presence vs. New Jersey’s depth.
Defense: Thomas Chabot’s heavy minutes and Ottawa’s structured pairs against Luke Hughes’ mobility and Dougie Hamilton’s shot.
Goaltending: Linus Ullmark’s outstanding start (.942 SV%) vs. Jake Allen (solid but not as dominant).
Special teams: Devils’ stronger early power play (~22%) vs. Senators’ better penalty kill (~78%). Faceoff edge leans Ottawa.
Recent Team Forms
Senators (4-1-0): Excellent start with wins over Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, and Nashville (shootout), offset by one loss at Detroit. Strong defensive numbers (2.20 GA/G) and Ullmark’s dominance. Away record 2-1-0. Tim Stützle leading the charge offensively.
Devils (2-2-0): Split results — wins over Philadelphia (OT) and Vancouver (4-1, Hischier two goals), losses to Islanders and Utah. High shot volume but elevated goals against (3.50 GA/G). Home record 2-1-0. Looking for consistency after the recent victory.
Series History
New Jersey holds the all-time edge (roughly 73-50-9 range including ties/OTL). Recent meetings have been competitive and often decided by one goal or overtime. This is the first 2026-27 meeting; the clubs split recent seasons closely.
Betting Trends
Ottawa’s strong early form and elite goaltending support value on the road. Unders have been more common in Senators games; Devils generate volume but have been inconsistent defensively. Public may lean toward the hotter Senators.
Game Odds
Ottawa Senators 6
New Jersey Devils – 132
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, October 11, 2026
