The New Jersey Devils (46-19-8) defeated the Ottawa Senators (35-33-5) 5-3 on Saturday night. The Devils clinched their first playoff berth since the 2017-2018 season thanks to a 4-3 Panthers loss to the Rangers that went final midway through the first period.
With the win, New Nersey also reached the 100-point mark for the first time since the 2011-2012 season. The Devils swept the season series from Ottawa while Mackenzie Blackwood won in his first game in five weeks.
Game Summary
First Period
It was a slow start for New Jersey in the second half of a back-to-back. Ottawa had the better chances early and opened the scoring three minutes in. Brady Tkachuk sniped one over Blackwood’s shoulder from a sharp angle at the outer edge of the circle.
Following the goal, the Devils remained a step behind the Senators. Ottawa had the game’s first power play after John Marino went off for holding seven-and-a-half minutes in. However, it was a short-lived power play for Ottawa. Tkachuk went off for charging midway through the man-advantage, evening things up at four-on-four.
During the ensuing minute of power play time, Jack Hughes took advantage. The 21-year-old danced through the entire Ottawa defense off the rush, sliding the puck past Dylan Ferguson. Hughes’ 40th of the season knotted the score at one midway through the first.
After one period, it was 1-1 with shots 11-7 in favor of New Jersey. At five-on-five, the Devils posted a 51.43 Corsi-for percentage (CF%) and a 57.75 expected goals-for percentage (xGF%).
Second Period
The Devils came out flying in the second period. Just over two minutes in, Jesper Bratt picked off a poor Senators’ pass at the offensive blue line and picked the corner on the breakaway. Bratt’s 31st of the season gave the Devils its’ first lead.
Just a minute later, the Devils made the Senators pay for another mistake. A fanned breakout pass came right to Nico Hischier who set up Dawson Mercer for a one-time goal. Just 3:33 into the second, it was 3-1 Devils.
On a Senator’s power play, Alex DeBrincat scored to cut the deficit to 3-2, but the Devils successfully challenged for offsides, negating the goal. After the challenge, Tomas Chabot scored as time expired on the Severson penalty, making the score 3-2 for real this time.
The Devils completely took over after the goal, testing Dylan Ferguson again and again. However, it was Ottawa who scored next after Mark Kastelic deflected a Travis Hamonic point shot over the shoulder of Blackwood. His fifth of the year tied the game at three with four minutes to go in the middle period.
In the second, shots were 13-9 in the Devils’ favor. NJ had a 65.00 CF% and a 76.92 xGF% at five-on-five.
Third Period
The Devils opened the scoring through Dougie Hamilton. The 29-year-old corralled a Jack Hughes pass with his skates before squeezing the puck short side on Dylan Ferguson. Hamilton’s career-high 19th goal of the season gave the Devils a 4-3 lead just 3:34 into the final period and set a new franchise record for goals in a season by a defenseman.
The Senators continued to press forward after the goal, but could not solve Blackwood. Midway through the period, the Senators held a 9-3 shots advantage, but the Devils maintained the lead.
After the kill, New Jersey controlled the puck, limiting opportunities for Ottawa to find an equalizer. Dylan Ferguson was pulled for an extra attacker with just over a minute to go, but it was Tomas Tatar that found the scoresheet. The Slovakian winger hit the empty net to seal a 5-3 Devils victory.
In the third period, shots were 12-11 in favor of Ottawa. The Senators had a 57.89 CF%, but the Devils had a 61.94 xGF% at five-on-five.
Wrap-Up
Five different players lit the lamp in the win for New Jersey. Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier were the only Devils to register a multi-point night, with both collecting two points. Hischier reached the 40-assist and 70-point mark with his two assists while Hughes became the first Devil to score 40 goals since Zach Parise in 2008-2009. Six other Devils registered a point in the win.
In net, Mackenzie Blackwood picked up the win in his first game action since February 19, a 4-2 win over Winnipeg. He stopped 25 of 28 shots, but allowed 1.21 goals above expected in the win.
For the game, shots were 35-28 Devils. At five-on-five, the Devils had a 53.10 CF% and a 66.57 xGF%.
Game Notes
Jack Hughes Stays Hot
After a breakout game of sorts in Buffalo, Jack Hughes picked up right where he left off. Hughes picked up a goal and an assist against Ottawa. Over both games of the back-to-back, Hughes scored three goals to go with two assists. Those five points matched Hughes’ total over his previous nine games.
Hughes also had a dominant night in terms of play driving. He finished with a 55.81 CF% and an outstanding 73.89 xGF% at five-on-five. High-danger chances were 6-1 with Hughes on the ice. Those numbers also don’t include his beautiful goal, which was scored on the power play.
Hischier Line Dominated
The line of Nico Hischier, Dawson Mercer, and Timo Meier also had a very strong night. The trio posted a 75.00 CF% and a 80.54 xGF% at five-on-five. High-danger chances were 5-1 with this line on the ice. The line also created a goal on the forecheck after Hischier picked up a loose puck to set up a Mercer one-timer.
The Devils seem to have found a solid combination in the top-six of Hischier, Mercer, and Meier alongside Hughes, Bratt, and Palat. It will be interesting if head coach Lindy Ruff keeps these groups together to build even more chemistry ahead of the playoffs or if he continues to try to optimize all four lines in the remaining nine games, knowing he can always go back to these combos.
Roster Construction: 11 Forwards And Seven Defensemen
The Devils rolled 11 forwards and seven defensemen in the victory over Ottawa. Overall, it went fine with the Devils winning the game and owning 66.57 xGF% and 73.08% of the high-danger chances at five-on-five.
However, the impact of the lineup construction appears more neutral when looking a bit closer. Miles Wood and Michael McLeod were the extra forward “duo” playing with different third forwards throughout the night. Wood had a 63.19 xGF% at five-on-five while McLeod had a 65.00 xGF%. Both figures were slightly below the team average of a 66.57 xGF%.
Postgame, head coach Lindy Ruff alluded to wanting to get Brendan Smith back into the lineup without needing to scratch a defender, per Amanda Stein. Smith had not played since March 18 in Florida. Ruff appeared to make a good choice in that regard, with Kevin Bahl posting a team-leading 89.91 in 13 minutes at five-on-five while Smith had a 41.96 xGF% in just under six minutes.
It’s likely Ruff reverts back to the traditional 12 forwards, six defensemen moving forward. The Devils have only rolled 11F/7D all season, with December 1 against Nashville being the only time since October before Saturday night. If Ruff does go back to 12F/6D, Smith seems more likely to be the defenseman scratched, but we will see.
What’s Next
The Devils head back on the road to take on the New York Islanders on Monday night. Puck drop from UBS Arena is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on MSGSN.
Note: All statistics via Natural Stat Trick.