Ottawa has opened the NHL season with the kind of urgency that turns an ordinary early-season game into a meaningful measuring stick. The Senators are 4-1-0 after five games, and Monday’s visit to New Jersey offers a chance to show that their impressive beginning is more than a brief burst of momentum.
The matchup is scheduled for Monday, October 12, at Prudential Center in Newark, with the opening faceoff set for 7:08 p.m. ET. Ottawa is coming off a 3-2 shootout win over Nashville, while New Jersey enters the contest after defeating Vancouver 4-1.
Ottawa’s Fast Start Has Several Foundations
The Senators have not relied on just one favorable result. They have received timely scoring from their leading players, dependable work in net and enough composure to close out tight games. That combination has helped Ottawa build a 4-1-0 record despite the long season still being in its opening chapter.
The victory over Nashville on Saturday was another example of Ottawa finding a way to survive a competitive game. A road win against New Jersey would carry even more weight because the Devils have the speed and skill to expose mistakes quickly.
Ottawa’s early objective is not simply to remain unbeaten for another night. The larger goal is to establish that the club belongs in the conversation surrounding the Atlantic Division’s serious contenders. A strong performance in Newark would support that argument.
Tim Stützle Is Setting the Offensive Tempo
Tim Stützle has been the clearest individual reason for Ottawa’s energetic opening. The German center has collected eight points in five games, with four goals and four assists. He also scored on the power play and recorded an assist in the shootout victory against Nashville.
His value extends beyond the scoring totals. Stützle can accelerate through the neutral zone, force defenders to retreat and create passing options before opposing coverage is fully organized. When he finds open ice near the crease, he has the hands and instincts to finish the play himself.
New Jersey will need to limit his time with the puck rather than merely react after he enters the offensive zone. If Stützle receives room to carry possession, Ottawa can turn a controlled breakout into a dangerous chance within seconds.
- Production: Four goals, four assists and eight points through five games.
- Special teams: One of his goals has come on the power play.
- Game impact: His speed and creativity can change the pace of an entire shift.
Ullmark’s Form Gives the Senators Defensive Confidence
Linus Ullmark has supplied the other major pillar of Ottawa’s start. He is 4-0-0 in four appearances and has posted a 1.34 goals-against average along with a .942 save percentage.
Those figures give the Senators room to remain patient in a close game. A team does not need to chase offense recklessly when its goaltender is consistently stopping the first dangerous shot and keeping the score within reach.
That advantage could matter against New Jersey. The Devils have several forwards capable of generating chances from quick puck movement, so Ullmark may face stretches in which Ottawa must defend without much relief. His ability to handle those moments could determine whether the Senators leave Newark with another win.
New Jersey’s Top Line Is Finding Its Rhythm
The Devils arrive with a 2-2-0 record, but their latest performance showed why Ottawa cannot afford to judge them solely by the standings. New Jersey defeated Vancouver 4-1 at Prudential Center on Saturday in one of its most complete outings of the young season.
Captain Nico Hischier led the way with two goals and an assist. His opening goal also marked the 200th of his NHL career, a milestone he reached during the victory. Jesper Bratt contributed a goal and an assist, while Jack Hughes finished with two assists.
That group can create pressure in several ways. Hischier brings two-way responsibility and net-front awareness, Bratt can attack open lanes with speed, and Hughes is capable of extending possessions until a passing seam appears.
The Devils’ performance against Vancouver should give their best players confidence, particularly after the power play produced three goals on four opportunities. Hischier scored twice with the man advantage, and Bratt added another power-play goal.
Discipline May Decide the Result
Ottawa’s penalty-killing units will have to remain alert, but the simplest solution is to avoid giving New Jersey repeated opportunities. The Devils showed how quickly their special teams can alter a game when Vancouver spent too much time defending shorthanded.
Unnecessary penalties would be especially costly if Hischier, Bratt and Hughes are already controlling possession at five-on-five. A parade to the penalty box could allow New Jersey to neutralize Ullmark’s excellent form and force Ottawa to play from behind.
- Ottawa must avoid careless penalties in the offensive zone.
- New Jersey will look to repeat its aggressive power-play movement.
- The Senators need clean exits whenever the Devils apply pressure.
- Five-on-five discipline can prevent special teams from becoming the deciding factor.
The Center-Ice Duel Deserves Close Attention
The most compelling individual battle could feature Stützle and Hischier. Stützle enters the game as Ottawa’s hottest scorer, while Hischier is coming off a three-point performance highlighted by a career milestone.
Both centers influence more than the scoreboard. They handle difficult minutes, contribute on special teams and can turn a neutral-zone recovery into an immediate attack. The player who wins more puck battles and creates more sustained offensive-zone time could give his team the decisive edge.
For Ottawa, that means Stützle must remain dangerous without sacrificing defensive responsibility. For New Jersey, Hischier’s recent surge needs to continue against a goaltender who has allowed only five goals in four starts.
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, Newark, New Jersey
Ottawa record: 4-1-0
New Jersey record: 2-2-0
Ottawa has the better record and the steadier goaltending numbers, but New Jersey owns home ice and arrives with a power play that just delivered a statement performance. The Senators can move to 5-1-0 with a win, yet doing so will require Stützle to keep driving the attack, Ullmark to maintain his composure and the team as a whole to stay out of trouble.
Monday’s contest should reveal whether Ottawa’s early surge can withstand a talented opponent that has just rediscovered its offensive confidence.
