Akira Schmid made 25 saves, and the New Jersey Devils defeated the Ottawa Senators 5-1 on Saturday, securing their 12th consecutive victory.
Yegor Sharangovich and Michael McLeod recorded a goal and an assist, while Erik Haula, Nathan Bastian, and Jesper Boqvist also found the net for New Jersey. The Devils are now one win away from tying the longest winning streak in franchise history, set from Feb. 26 to March 23, 2001.
The Devils surged to a 3-0 lead early in the second period and maintained their dominance despite a brief response from the Senators.
“We were just resilient,” Haula said. “There were a couple of holes in our game where we got a little comfortable, and that’s when they took it to us a bit and got some chances. But overall, great game from Schmid, and 12 in a row feels really good.”
Derick Brassard scored the lone goal for the Senators. Anton Forsberg started the game but was replaced early in the second period after conceding three goals on 18 shots. Cam Talbot took over and allowed one goal on 17 shots.
Ottawa continued its struggles, winning only twice in its last 11 games (2-8-1). Late in the game, fans faintly chanted “Fire D.J.!” in reference to calls for coach D.J. Smith’s dismissal over the past few weeks.
“It’s nobody to blame but ourselves, the players,” Senators captain Brady Tkachuk said. “We just weren’t ready to play today, and that’s my job to get everybody ready. I’m sick and tired of seeing all this negativity on social media. It’s not one person; the group here needs to figure it out.”
Haula opened the scoring with a power-play goal early in the first period, marking his first of the season. Bastian extended the lead to 2-0 late in the first by capitalizing on a rebound.
The Devils continued their momentum, making it 3-0 early in the second when Boqvist grabbed a loose puck out front, ending Forsberg’s stint in goal.
“I thought tonight was a total team game,” New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff said. “We got production from all lines, a key short-handed goal from Sharangovich, and solid defense. Our goaltender made some big saves at key moments.”
Brassard got the Senators on the board late in the second period, but the Devils quickly responded with Sharangovich scoring a short-handed goal with 34 seconds remaining in the period.
Ottawa pulled their goalie with 4:51 left in the third, but McLeod sealed the game with an empty-netter with 2 1/2 minutes remaining.
CLOSING IN
Devils forward Dawson Mercer is one game from his 100th in the NHL. He will be the fifth player in franchise history to play his first 100 games consecutively.
Game Notes
- The Senators had not lost to the Devils in regulation at home since Dec. 30, 2015, and have gone 5-0-3 in eight games since then.
- Ottawa D Artem Zub returned to the lineup after missing the last eight games with an upper-body injury.
- The Devils are a perfect 8-0-0 against Canadian opponents this season.
- Devils captain Nico Hischier has six goals and six assists over his last 10 games.
UP NEXT
- Senators: At the San Jose Sharks on Monday night.
- Devils: Host the Edmonton Oilers on Monday.
