Ottawa Senators continued their impressive start to the season, downing the New Jersey Devils 4-1 on Monday night to push their record to five wins in six games. Tim Stützle contributed a goal and an assist, while Shane Pinto notched his first goal of the year and Stephen Halliday added another on the power play. Linus Ullmark stood tall between the pipes, turning aside 29 of 30 shots, with the lone Devils goal coming from Arseny Gritsyuk late in the contest. The victory arrived despite a growing injury list that has thinned Ottawa’s blue line and forward corps.
Stützle Leads the Charge
Tim Stützle was once again the catalyst for Ottawa’s offence, opening the scoring early and setting up Pinto’s marker later in the frame. His ability to create chances while battling through a congested schedule underscores why he remains a cornerstone of the Senators’ attack. Pinto’s goal, which came just nine seconds into the second period, broke a scoreless tie and ignited a burst of momentum that Ottawa would not relinquish. Halliday’s power‑play tally midway through the frame further illustrated the team’s capacity to capitalize on opponents’ miscues.
Defensive Woes Mount
The Senators’ defensive corps continued to absorb blows, beginning with Nikolas Matinpalo’s alarming head‑first collision with the boards after a hit from Anthony Mantha. Matinpalo was escorted off the ice and later ruled out with an upper‑body injury, adding to the absence of Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub on the back end. Forward William Eklund also remains sidelined with a left‑ankle issue that coach Travis Green described as an extended layoff. Despite these setbacks, Ottawa’s depth has shown resilience, relying on timely scoring and a fast‑paced style to keep opponents off balance.
Special Teams Shift Momentum
New Jersey’s indiscretions proved costly, as the Senators finally exploited the Devils’ propensity for penalties. After failing to convert on Mantha’s five‑minute major earlier in the game, Ottawa capitalized on a subsequent power play when Halliday found space in front of the net following Brett Pesce’s slip. The power‑play goal was the decisive blow that turned a tight contest into a comfortable lead. Ullmark’s steady goaltending, combined with the Senators’ opportunistic special teams, ensured the Devils could not mount a comeback despite a late goal from Gritsyuk.
Why it Matters
This victory reinforces Ottawa’s early‑season narrative: a team capable of winning even when key regulars are missing. By leaning on contributions from depth players and executing on special teams, the Senators have turned adversity into advantage, signalling to the rest of the league that their hot start is no fluke. As they prepare to host the St. Louis Blues, the ability to maintain this level of performance will be crucial in shaping a playoff push that could redefine expectations for a franchise in transition.
