Devils Fall Flat in Ottawa, Raising Big-Picture Questions About the Team’s Direction
The New Jersey Devils’ 4-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators wasn’t just another bad night on the ice-it was a flashing red light for a team that’s been trending in the wrong direction for weeks. This wasn’t about bad bounces or a hot goalie on the other side. It was about a team that looked out of sync, out of answers, and maybe, just maybe, running out of time.
Sure, Linus Ullmark’s return to the crease was a storyline for Ottawa, but beyond that, this game didn’t move the needle much in the broader NHL landscape. Unless, of course, you’re watching the Devils closely-and wondering what happened to the group that looked so promising not long ago.
What If the Devils Had Stayed Healthy?
It’s not hard to imagine a different version of this season for New Jersey. Early on, they looked like the team many expected: fast, skilled, and dangerous.
Despite some early injuries, they still managed to win 16 of their first 24 games. That kind of pace would’ve put them on track for a 50-plus win season-right in line with their breakout 2022-23 campaign.
But then the wheels came off. Jack Hughes’ injury changed everything.
Without their offensive engine, the Devils lost their identity. The power play sputtered, the transition game slowed, and the team’s confidence seemed to erode with each passing game.
What followed was a cascade of issues. The defense started showing cracks.
Goaltending became a nightly question mark. And off the ice, the team couldn’t escape the noise-rumors swirling around potential trades, including Quinn Hughes, seemed to add to the weight.
The locker room felt it. You could see it in the way they played: hesitant, disconnected, and far from the group that once looked like a rising powerhouse.
The Devils still have talent-there’s no question about that. But without Jack Hughes in the lineup, they’ve struggled to find anyone who can take over a game. And when the core can’t carry you, the flaws become impossible to ignore.
Senators Still Searching for Answers
On the other side of the ice, the Senators aren’t exactly celebrating either. This was supposed to be the year they turned the corner, stepped into the contender conversation, and made some noise in the Eastern Conference. Instead, they’ve been dealing with their own version of a season gone sideways.
Injuries hit early, and then came the distractions-rumors, off-ice drama, and a lack of consistency behind the bench. The result? A team that’s underperformed across the board.
Last season, Ottawa’s depth was a strength. This year, it’s a question mark.
Goaltending, once a stabilizing force, has become a liability. Coaching?
That’s been part of the problem, too. The Senators haven’t looked organized or disciplined enough to hang with the top teams, and it’s shown in the standings.
And yet, there’s still a sense of optimism around Ottawa. Talk to scouts or front office types, and you’ll hear the same thing: the core is legit.
Tim Stützle is the kind of do-it-all center you can build around. Brady Tkachuk brings the edge and leadership every team needs.
Jake Sanderson is already playing like a top-pair defenseman. The pieces are there.
The rest? That’s where the work lies.
Who’s Better Positioned for the Future?
Right now, it’s the Senators who seem to have the clearer path forward. Their window is just beginning to open. They’ve got a young core that’s still growing, and even if this season ends up being a write-off, the long-term outlook remains strong.
For the Devils, it’s murkier. The talent is there, but the pieces haven’t quite fit together the way they need to. Injuries have played a role, sure, but beyond that, there are bigger questions about structure, depth, and whether this group-as currently constructed-can contend when it matters most.
New Jersey has players who can light up the highlight reel. But right now, they don’t have enough who can grind out wins when things get tough.
That’s the difference between being entertaining and being elite. And until the Devils can bridge that gap, nights like this one in Ottawa will keep piling up.
The clock’s ticking in New Jersey. And after a night like this, you can’t help but wonder if changes are coming sooner rather than later.