On Saturday evening, the Ottawa Senators clashed with the New Jersey Devils as both teams looked for some much-needed cushion in the playoff race. It was the Senators who ultimately ended up with the key two points, as they won in regulation by a score of 3-2. Linus Ullmark made 26 saves for his 19th victory of the season. They improve to 37-27-5; the Devils fall to 37-28-6.
Both teams traded solid chances in an evenly matched, yet scoreless first period. Then the Senators ramped things up early in the second and the Devils were on their heels. Jake Allen did all he could to keep them in it by making a few highlight-reel saves, but the Senators inevitably struck. First, Brady Tkachuk scored on a deflection. Then 33 seconds later, Drake Batherson tapped one in to make it 2-0.
The Devils got a power play and Nico Hischier converted to cut the deficit to 2-1. Jesper Bratt’s assist on the goal (61st) made him the Devils’ all-time single season assists leader, passing Scott Stevens. Then the Senators ended up on a man advantage of their own and David Perron deflected one past Allen to make it 3-1.
We (k)need you to watch this and tell us if it was G💰 or DP that scored!#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/oExk1ysO36
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) March 23, 2025
Travis Green’s Senators shut it down the rest of the way, until about 30 seconds left. Erik Haula scored to make it 3-2 with 22.3 seconds to go. Then Nico Hischier had a glorious chance that looked like it was about to trickle over the goal line, but it hit Stefan Noesen’s skate and Artem Zub cleared it. Then the final buzzer sounded. The Senators moved to 27-2-1 with a third period lead thanks to their effort.
The Senators will head up to Buffalo to play the Sabres on Tuesday (7:00 PM ET); the Devils will remain home to face the Vancouver Canucks on Monday (7:30 PM ET).
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