The Ottawa Senators have quickly turned the opening week of the NHL season into a statement. At 4-1-0, they arrive in Newark with confidence, strong goaltending, and an emerging offensive centerpiece in Tim Stützle.
The New Jersey Devils will provide a demanding test Monday night at Prudential Center. The Devils are 2-2-0, but they enter the matchup after defeating the Vancouver Canucks 4-1 and receiving a dominant performance from captain Nico Hischier.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. ET on Monday, October 12, 2026. Ottawa can improve to 5-1-0 with a road victory, while New Jersey has an opportunity to close its homestand with back-to-back wins.
Two Teams Arrive With Different Kinds of Confidence
Ottawa’s early record reflects more than a favorable schedule. The Senators have already demonstrated that they can win tight games, respond to pressure, and rely on important players when the margin is small.
The latest example came Saturday, when Ottawa defeated Nashville 3-2 in a shootout. Drake Batherson helped force overtime with a late tying goal, while Stützle and Shane Pinto converted in the shootout to secure the Senators’ fourth win in five games.
New Jersey has not matched Ottawa’s record, but its latest result showed why the Devils remain dangerous. The 4-1 victory over Vancouver was their most complete performance of the young season, particularly on the power play.
The contrast creates an intriguing setup. Ottawa has the stronger overall start, but New Jersey may be playing with renewed energy after its best showing to date.
Stützle Has Become Ottawa’s Offensive Engine
Tim Stützle has been the central figure in Ottawa’s hot opening stretch. The German center has collected four goals and four assists for eight points through five games, giving him a direct hand in the Senators’ offensive success almost every night.
His influence goes beyond the scoring totals. Stützle can accelerate through the neutral zone, force defenders to retreat, and create passing options before opponents establish their defensive shape. When he finds open ice near the crease, his finishing ability makes even a brief defensive mistake costly.
Stützle also contributed a power-play goal and an assist in the win over Nashville. That production makes him especially important against New Jersey, a team capable of turning special-teams opportunities into momentum swings.
Ottawa does not need Stützle to carry every shift, but the Senators will benefit greatly if he continues dictating the pace. His ability to generate chances at five-on-five and with the man advantage could determine whether Ottawa controls the game or spends the night defending.
Ullmark’s Numbers Give the Senators Room for Error
Linus Ullmark has supplied the stability behind Ottawa’s strong start. He is 4-0-0 in four starts and has allowed only five goals, producing a 1.34 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage.
Those figures give the Senators a valuable advantage in a matchup featuring several elite offensive talents. A goaltender playing with that level of efficiency can keep a road team alive through difficult stretches and prevent one bad sequence from becoming a multi-goal deficit.
Ullmark will need to remain sharp because New Jersey’s attack can create chances quickly. Jack Hughes’ playmaking, Jesper Bratt’s speed, and Hischier’s two-way intelligence give the Devils multiple ways to pressure the crease.
If Ullmark continues to track the puck cleanly and limit second chances, Ottawa can make New Jersey work for every goal. The Devils, in turn, will need to generate traffic and sustained possession rather than relying solely on perimeter shots.
New Jersey’s Power Play Deserves Ottawa’s Attention
The Devils’ special teams were decisive against Vancouver. New Jersey scored three power-play goals on four opportunities, with Hischier accounting for two of them.
Hischier finished that game with two goals and an assist, and his first goal marked the 200th of his NHL career. Bratt added a goal and an assist, while Hughes recorded two assists as New Jersey’s leading players found their rhythm.
That performance should make discipline a major priority for Ottawa. Repeated penalties would allow the Devils to put their most dangerous attackers on the ice together, potentially neutralizing the Senators’ strength at even strength.
Ottawa’s penalty killers must also limit clean entries and force New Jersey to operate from the outside. Giving Hughes time to survey the ice or allowing Hischier to position himself near the slot could quickly change the game.
The Center-Ice Battle Could Shape the Result
| Player | Team | Early-season production | Why the matchup matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Stützle | Ottawa | 4 goals, 4 assists, 8 points | Creates speed, chances, and scoring pressure from the middle of the ice |
| Nico Hischier | New Jersey | 2 goals and 1 assist in the last game | Combines responsible two-way play with a dangerous power-play presence |
The individual contest between Stützle and Hischier offers one of the clearest storylines. Stützle has been Ottawa’s most productive forward over the first five games, while Hischier enters after a three-point performance that energized the Devils.
Both centers can influence the game without always appearing on the scoresheet. They take important defensive assignments, contribute on special teams, and have the awareness to turn a loose puck into a dangerous attack.
The player who wins more shifts through the middle could help his team control possession and dictate where the game is played. If Stützle creates repeated rush chances, Ottawa may force New Jersey onto its heels. If Hischier establishes position around the net, the Devils could put Ullmark under sustained pressure.
What Ottawa Must Do to Leave Newark With a Win
The Senators’ formula is straightforward but demanding. They need to protect the puck through the neutral zone, avoid unnecessary penalties, and give Ullmark enough defensive support to see the initial shot.
Ottawa should also look for opportunities to attack before New Jersey’s defense is fully organized. Stützle’s speed can be especially effective when the Devils are changing lines or struggling to close the gap at center ice.
New Jersey will try to turn the game into a special-teams contest, while Ottawa would likely prefer a disciplined, fast-paced battle at five-on-five. The Senators’ ability to stay composed after the whistle may be just as important as their offensive creativity.
A win would move Ottawa to 5-1-0 and provide another strong indication that its early success deserves serious attention. A loss would not erase the impressive start, but it could remind the Senators that talented opponents will punish small breakdowns.
Game Details
Matchup: Ottawa Senators at New Jersey Devils
Date: Monday, October 12, 2026
Time: 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-season goaltending, and Hischier leading a suddenly dangerous Devils power play, this matchup offers a meaningful test for both teams. The Senators have momentum, but New Jersey has the talent and home-ice opportunity to challenge it.