Ottawa has opened the NHL season with the kind of energy that changes expectations quickly. The Senators carry a 4-1-0 record into Monday’s visit to the New Jersey Devils, and another win would give their fast start even greater credibility.
The game is scheduled for Monday, October 12, 2026, at 7:08 p.m. ET inside Prudential Center in Newark. New Jersey enters at 2-2-0 after a convincing 4-1 victory over Vancouver, so neither team arrives short of confidence.
Ottawa’s surge has been powered by Tim Stützle, while Linus Ullmark has provided calm and consistency in the crease. The Devils will counter with a dangerous top group led by captain Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Jack Hughes.
The Numbers That Define Monday’s Contest
The early statistics reveal two teams winning in different ways. Ottawa has combined timely offense with excellent goaltending, whereas New Jersey’s latest performance showed how quickly its power play can transform a game.
| Category | Ottawa Senators | New Jersey Devils |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 4-1-0 | 2-2-0 |
| Recent result | 3-2 shootout win over Nashville | 4-1 win over Vancouver |
| Key forward | Tim Stützle: 4 goals, 4 assists, 8 points | Nico Hischier: 2 goals and 1 assist in his last game |
| Goaltending note | Linus Ullmark: 4-0-0, 1.34 goals-against average, .942 save percentage | New Jersey enters after scoring three power-play goals against Vancouver |
These figures do not predict the final score, but they identify the pressure points. Ottawa wants the game played at five-on-five, where its structure and goaltending can limit mistakes. New Jersey would benefit from forcing penalties and creating repeated chances with the man advantage.
1. Stützle’s Speed Against New Jersey’s Defensive Shape
Tim Stützle has become the central figure in Ottawa’s opening stretch. He has collected eight points in five games, including four goals and four assists, and he also contributed a power-play goal and an assist in Saturday’s victory over Nashville.
His value extends beyond the box score. Stützle can accelerate through the neutral zone, carry the puck into difficult areas, and use quick passes to pull defenders away from their assignments. Once a lane opens near the slot or the side of the net, he has the skill to finish the sequence himself.
New Jersey will need clean gaps between its defensemen and forwards. If the Devils allow Stützle to enter the offensive zone with speed, Ottawa’s supporting forwards can turn those entries into extended possessions. If they force him to dump the puck or receive it under pressure, the matchup becomes much more manageable.
Ottawa’s leading center is not the only threat, but he is the player most likely to dictate the game’s attacking rhythm. His performance may determine whether the Senators can keep their road momentum alive.
2. Can Ullmark Keep New Jersey’s Attack at Bay?
Ottawa’s offense has drawn attention, yet Linus Ullmark may be the team’s most reliable advantage. The veteran goaltender is 4-0-0 through four starts, with a 1.34 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage.
Those numbers reflect more than strong reactions. Ullmark’s early form gives Ottawa room to remain patient when chances are limited, especially on the road. A goaltender playing with that level of confidence can also make New Jersey’s forwards hesitate after an initial opportunity is denied.
The Devils possess enough talent to create danger without extended buildup. Hischier can attack the middle of the ice, Bratt can exploit open space, and Hughes can manufacture chances with his speed and puck control. Ottawa’s defenders must prevent those players from receiving the puck in comfortable scoring areas.
The first several minutes could be revealing. If Ullmark handles New Jersey’s early pressure, Ottawa can settle into its preferred game. If the Devils score early, the Senators may be forced into a faster and more open contest than they want.
3. Special Teams Could Swing the Result
New Jersey’s 4-1 win over Vancouver featured a power play that looked especially dangerous. The Devils scored on three of four opportunities, with Hischier accounting for two of those man-advantage goals and Bratt adding another.
That success gives Ottawa a straightforward warning: unnecessary penalties could erase the Senators’ even-strength advantages. Hischier, Bratt, and Hughes are all capable of converting a single defensive breakdown, and repeated power-play chances increase the likelihood that one mistake becomes decisive.
Ottawa’s disciplined approach should follow a clear sequence:
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Defend with active sticks rather than reaching from behind.
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Protect the middle of the ice and keep New Jersey’s top forwards outside the best shooting areas.
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Finish shifts cleanly so tired players do not commit late penalties.
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Attack aggressively when the Senators receive their own power-play opportunities.
The matchup may not produce many special-teams chances, but every opportunity will carry unusual weight. New Jersey has just shown that its power play can become the difference between a close game and a comfortable victory.
Hischier and Stützle Lead the Individual Storyline
The most compelling personal duel features two centers who influence every part of the game. Stützle enters as Ottawa’s hottest scorer, while Hischier is coming off a three-point performance against Vancouver.
Hischier’s two-goal night included the 200th goal of his NHL career. Bratt finished that game with a goal and an assist, and Hughes added two assists, giving New Jersey’s top unit plenty of momentum heading into the homestand finale.
Both centers can create offense, contribute on special teams, and turn a routine possession into a scoring chance. Their defensive responsibilities matter just as much. Whichever player controls the middle of the ice more effectively could give his team the territorial advantage.
What a Victory Would Mean for Ottawa
A 4-1-0 record remains only an early snapshot, but Ottawa has already demonstrated that it can win close games and rely on its best players. The Senators defeated Nashville 3-2 in a shootout on Saturday, and a road win in Newark would be an even stronger statement.
New Jersey is not simply a team waiting to be exposed. The Devils have home-ice energy, proven offensive talent, and a power play that just produced three goals. Ottawa must earn every shift by limiting penalties, managing the puck, and giving Ullmark a clear view of the action.
A win would move the Senators to 5-1-0 and strengthen the idea that their impressive opening week may reflect genuine progress rather than a brief hot streak. For Canadian hockey fans, the central question is direct: can New Jersey contain Stützle before Ottawa’s early-season surge becomes impossible to ignore?
Game Details
Teams: Ottawa Senators at New Jersey Devils
Date: Monday, October 12, 2026
Faceoff: 7:08 p.m. ET
Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Ottawa record: 4-1-0
New Jersey record: 2-2-0
With Stützle driving Ottawa’s attack, Ullmark delivering elite early numbers, and Hischier leading a resurgent Devils power play, this contest offers a meaningful test for both teams.