Three Storylines Shaping Ottawa’s Newark Test

Ottawa has started the NHL season with the kind of urgency that changes expectations quickly. At 4-1-0, the Senators have already shown that their early success is more than a brief burst of offense, and Monday’s visit to New Jersey offers another chance to prove they belong among the Atlantic Division’s serious contenders.

The Senators meet the Devils at Prudential Center in Newark on Monday, October 12, with the opening faceoff scheduled for 7:08 p.m. ET. Ottawa arrives after a 3-2 shootout victory over Nashville, while New Jersey is fresh from a convincing 4-1 win over Vancouver.

Ottawa’s Fast Start Faces a Different Kind of Challenge

A five-game record cannot predict how a full NHL season will unfold, but Ottawa has handled its opening schedule with confidence. The Senators have received timely scoring from their top players, dependable goaltending and enough resilience to win tight games.

The Nashville victory highlighted that balance. Ottawa needed a late tying goal from Drake Batherson before Tim Stützle and Shane Pinto delivered in the shootout. That result gave the Senators their fourth win and extended their momentum before a difficult road test against a talented Devils lineup.

A victory in Newark would carry extra significance. New Jersey has speed throughout its forward group and is playing at home, so Ottawa will need more than offensive flair to leave with two points.

Stützle Has Become the Center of Ottawa’s Attack

Tim Stützle has been the most visible reason for Ottawa’s excellent opening week. The German center has accumulated eight points in five games, scoring four times and adding four assists.

• Four goals through Ottawa’s first five games
• Four assists during the same stretch
• Eight total points to lead the Senators’ early attack
• A power-play goal and an assist in the win over Nashville

His value extends beyond the scoresheet. Stützle can carry the puck through the neutral zone, force defenders to retreat and create passing options before a defense has time to settle. His quickness also makes him dangerous when New Jersey turns the puck over.

The Devils cannot afford to give him open ice near the slot or allow him to enter the offensive zone with speed. If Stützle controls the middle of the ice, Ottawa’s supporting forwards should find more opportunities around the net.

Ullmark’s Numbers Give the Senators Room to Compete

Ottawa’s early offensive production has drawn attention, but Linus Ullmark has been equally important. The goaltender is 4-0-0 in four starts, with a 1.34 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage.

Those figures provide the Senators with a significant advantage in a matchup that could be decided by a single mistake. Ullmark’s ability to stop the first dangerous chance allows Ottawa to remain aggressive without immediately paying for every turnover.

New Jersey owns enough skill to create scoring chances in transition, especially when Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier are given time to attack. Ullmark may need to make several difficult saves early if Ottawa’s defense takes time to adjust to the Devils’ pace.

New Jersey’s Power Play Deserves Immediate Attention

The Devils enter Monday’s game with confidence after dismantling Vancouver 4-1. Hischier led the way with two goals and an assist, while Bratt recorded a goal and an assist and Hughes supplied two assists. Hischier’s first goal also marked the 200th of his NHL career.

New Jersey’s special teams were especially dangerous. The Devils scored three power-play goals on four opportunities, with Hischier converting twice and Bratt adding another. That performance turned penalties into a decisive advantage and exposed how quickly the team’s top unit can change a game.

Ottawa’s discipline will therefore be central to the outcome. Repeated trips to the penalty box could neutralize Ullmark’s strong play and give New Jersey’s leading forwards the exact conditions they need to generate momentum.

• Ottawa must avoid unnecessary penalties in the neutral zone.
• The Senators need clean defensive clears when the Devils establish possession.
• New Jersey’s top power-play unit cannot be allowed extended time near the crease.

Two Centers Could Define Monday’s Result

The most compelling individual battle may involve Stützle and Hischier. Ottawa’s center is entering the matchup with four goals and eight points, while New Jersey’s captain just produced a three-point performance against Vancouver.

Both players can drive offense without needing many chances. Stützle creates speed and deception with the puck, while Hischier combines smart positioning with a strong two-way game and the ability to finish around the net.

Their influence will also extend to special teams and late-game situations. If the score remains close in the third period, either center could become the player trusted to win a faceoff, create a rush or capitalize on a defensive breakdown.

Game Details and Final Outlook

Matchup: Ottawa Senators at New Jersey Devils

Date: Monday, October 12, 2026

Time: 7:08 p.m. ET

Venue: Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey

Ottawa record: 4-1-0

New Jersey record: 2-2-0

Ottawa has the stronger record and the hotter offensive centerpiece, but New Jersey brings home ice, renewed confidence and a power play that just produced three goals in one night. The Senators can move to 5-1-0 if they protect the puck, stay disciplined and receive another composed performance from Ullmark.

For Canadian hockey fans, the central question is whether New Jersey can contain Stützle before Ottawa’s early-season surge becomes an even larger story.