Devils Fall to Senators After Second-Period Meltdown

Published: Saturday, March 22, 2025

by Patrick Corsello

NEWARK, N.J. – The New Jersey Devils (37-28-6) lost at home Saturday, falling 3-2 to the Ottawa Senators (37-27-5) at the Prudential Center. Three second-period goals were too much for the Devils to overcome.

The Senators were the hotter team to start, putting three shots on Devils goaltender Jake Allen within the first two minutes of the game.  

With 12:29 remaining in the first period, Shane Pinto went to the box for tripping, giving New Jersey the first power play of the game. The Devils had a couple of good chances with the man advantage but were unable to convert, as Ottawa kept the game scoreless.  

The Devils' power play was cut short with 10 seconds remaining when Nico Hischier was penalized, leading to a brief stretch of 4-on-4 hockey before Ottawa went on a power play.

Ottawa was also unable to capitalize on the power play, as the teams returned to 5-on-5 play. Shortly after, Jonathan Kovacevic was assessed a bench minor for shooting the puck over the glass, giving the Senators their second power play of the game.

As “Kill” chants echoed from the crowd, New Jersey killed off the penalty without allowing a goal. The teams were a combined 0-for-3 on the power play in the period.

The first period ended just as it began—scoreless.

As the second period got underway, the game didn’t stay scoreless for long. Brady Tkachuk scored his 28th goal of the season just over four minutes into the period.

Just 33 seconds later, Drake Batherson found the back of the net, scoring his 20th of the season to give Ottawa a quick 2-0 lead.   

Ottawa took a penalty when Tkachuk went to the box for high sticking with 13:55 remaining in the period, giving the Devils their second power play of the game.

Nico Hischier scored on the power play to cut Ottawa’s lead to 2-1. Jesper Bratt tallied his 61st assist of the season on the goal, giving the Swedish forward the Devils’ franchise record for most assists in a single season.

It looked as if the Devils were gaining momentum before Stefan Noesen took a tripping penalty, giving Ottawa a 5-on-4 advantage, which proved costly, as David Perron scored with the extra skater.

Just 10 minutes into the second period, Ottawa led 3-1.

With 4:20 remaining, Nikolas Matinpalo headed to the penalty box, and Ottawa took another penalty shortly after for delay of game after the puck was sent over the glass. It was the second delay of game and sixth overall penalty of the contest.

The Devils failed to convert on the power play and trailed 3-1 heading into the third period.

Paul Cotter scored for New Jersey with an extra attacker and the net empty in the third, but it wasn’t enough, as the Devils left two crucial points on the table.

A frustrated Sheldon Keefe entered the media room after the game, where Jonathan Kovacevic’s locker room comments were mentioned. When told, the defenseman said the team needs to have a playoff mentality; Keefe quickly responded, “Kovacevic needs to play better.”

The bombshell quote abruptly ended the press conference.

The Devils’ next game is at home against the Vancouver Canucks, who are coming off a 5-3 loss to New Jersey’s cross-river rival, the New York Rangers.

The Rangers honored legendary broadcaster Sam Rosen on Saturday afternoon, during his final season on the mic.

Puck drop between New Jersey and Vancouver is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. at Prudential Center.

Patrick Corsello is an Assistant Music Director at WSOU 89.5 and can be reached at patrick.corsello@student.shu.edu. 

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