Thursday night’s matchup between the Ottawa Senators (4-8-0) and New Jersey Devils (10-3-0) features two teams headed in opposite directions. The Devils, who sit in first place in their respective division, are riding a seven-game winning streak. Meanwhile, the Senators, who sit last in their respective division, are riding a six-game losing streak.

Match Overview

After winning four-straight games, despite an abbreviated two-game losing skid to begin the season, the preseason-hyped Senators have been woeful. As mentioned, each of their last six games have been losses. Over this time, they have been outscored 26-17. That works out to a rate of roughly 4.33 goals against per game.

On the flip side, the Devils are riding the team’s longest win streak since 2011. Over their last seven games, they have outscored opponents 30-13. In addition to their win streak, they’ve won 10 of their last 11 games overall.

The Senators are led by forwards Brady Tkachuk (16 points in 12 games) and Drake Batherson (12 points in 12 games). They also have three forwards tied with 11 points. In net, expect Anton Forsberg, who has struggled mightily – .898 save percentage and a -2.20 goals saved above expected (GSAx). If he does not get the nod, it’d be veteran Cam Talbot.

With Mackenzie Blackwood on the shelf, and an off-day tomorrow, expected Vitek Vanecek to get the start once again. He has been terrific lately and on the season has a .915 save percentage and a positive GSAx.

Projected Lineups

Senators –

Forwards:

B. Tkachuk – Stützle – Giroux

DeBrincat – Brassard – Batherson

Motte – Pinto – Gambrell

Kelly – Kastelic – Watson

Defensemen:

Chabot – Bernard-Docker

Sanderson – Hamonic

Brannstrom – Holden

Goaltenders:

Forsberg

Talbot

Devils –

Forwards:

Tatar – Hischier – Zetterlund

Haula – Hughes – Bratt

Sharangovich – Mercer – Boqvist

Wood – McLeod – Bastian

Defensemen:

Siegenthaler – Hamilton

Graves – Marino

Smith – Severson

Goaltenders:

Vanecek

Schmid

Games Notes

• The Ottawa Senators may not be as good as the preseason hype they received, but they are not this bad either. They actually rank in the top half of the league in both shot-attempt differential and expected-goal share. Though, their 26th-best save percentage combined with allowing the ninth-most shots per 60 minutes a game has bogged them down.

• Tomas Tatar has been quietly having a terrific bounce-back season. The veteran has a five-game point streak and has picked up at least a point in seven of his last eight games. On the season, he has eight points already which is on pace to shatter his total last season. His on-ice metrics are also arguably the best on the team: 64.42 Corsi-for percentage (2nd), 69.36 expected goals-for percentage (1st), 67.46 scoring chance-for percentage (1st), and 74.26 high-danger Corsi-for percentage (1st).

• Of forward lines that have played at least 25 minutes of five-on-five ice time, the trio of Tkachuk, Stützle, and Giroux have arguably been the best. Per Moneypuck, that line ranks first in expected goals-for percentage of 183 qualified lines in the NHL. Expect the Devils to get John Marino on the ice if that trio remains tonight.
  

Tonight’s game is scheduled for a 7:00 P.M. ET puck drop at the Prudential Center. You can find it on MSG SportsNet 2.

Note, all statistics via Natural Stat Trick unless otherwise stated.