Devils Triumph Over Senators on the Ice, 3-1: Markstrom’s Wall Proves Unbeatable

Jacob Markstrom, the fortress in net for the New Jersey Devils, turned away 30 shots and only lost his shutout in the dying moments of the game, propelling his team to a 3-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday evening. The Devils’ scorers, Erik Haula, Nathan Bastian, and Paul Cotter, found the back of the net as the team celebrated their third win in four games, raising their season record to an impressive 5-2-0.

Markstrom’s Dominance Over Senators

The Senators, despite their high-scoring 8-7 overtime triumph against the Los Angeles Kings earlier this week, stumbled against the formidable Markstrom. Brady Tkachuk was the lone Senator to get one past Markstrom, slipping in a power-play goal with just over a minute left in the final period.

Saving Grace: Anton Forsberg

On the other end of the ice, Anton Forsberg, making a consecutive start, aimed to bounce back from his early exit on Monday but was unable to prevent the Devils’ onslaught, despite making 32 saves in the face of defeat.

Devils’ Scoring Spree

Haula ignited the Devils’ offense early in the second period, and Bastian followed suit with a short-handed goal, cementing a 2-0 lead for New Jersey after two periods. Cotter added a third midway through the final period.

Senators and Devils: Key Takeaways

With Artem Zub on the sidelines due to concussion, the Senators leaned heavily on the defensive duo of Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot, who shouldered the most ice time for the team. Meanwhile, the Devils, after establishing their lead in the second period, increased their defensive pressure, successfully curtailing the Senators’ scoring chances.

Game-Changing Moment

During the Devils’ short-handed situation in the second period, a Claude Giroux turnover in the Devils’ zone allowed Bastian to snatch a breakaway opportunity and beat Forsberg on the short side to tally his first goal of the season.

Unstoppable Tkachuk

Tkachuk’s late goal in the third period lengthened his point streak to five games, comprising three goals and three assists.

What’s Next?

Up next, the Senators will face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning, while the Devils will host the Washington Capitals, with both games set for Saturday.