The New Jersey Devils went into Ottawa clinging to slim playoff hopes and looking to steal two points at Canadian Tire Centre for the second time this season. Instead, they left with another frustrating reminder of what’s been plaguing them all year: a lack of offensive punch and special teams play that’s taken a noticeable step back. The 4-1 loss to the Senators wasn’t just a missed opportunity - it was a snapshot of a season that’s been slipping away.
Special Teams: From Strength to Struggle
A year ago, the Devils’ special teams were a major reason they stayed afloat during rough stretches. Head coach Sheldon Keefe even called them his “baby,” and with good reason.
Last season, their power play clicked at 28.2% (2nd in the NHL), and their penalty kill shut things down at 82.7% (3rd). That kind of efficiency can cover up a lot of 5-on-5 blemishes.
Fast forward to this season, and that safety net is gone. Since October 29, the Devils’ power play has been respectable at 22.2% - good for 11th in the league - but it hasn’t been the difference-maker it once was. The penalty kill has regressed to the middle of the pack at 79.6% (16th), and both units took a hit in Ottawa.
The Senators struck twice on three power-play chances, pushing their total to 5-for-6 against the Devils at home this season. Meanwhile, New Jersey’s power play came up empty on five chances. That’s a brutal swing in a game where special teams could’ve been the difference.
To put it in perspective: last season, the Devils had a special teams goal differential of +25. This year?
Just +5. And when you’re scoring a league-worst 1.93 goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 (per Natural Stat Trick), you can’t afford to be average - or worse - when you’ve got the man advantage.
Eastern Conference Pressure Cooker
Here’s the harsh reality: even a solid 95-point season might not be enough to get into the playoffs this year. The Eastern Conference is that competitive.
Right now, every team in a playoff spot is on pace for at least 98 points. That’s a tough hill to climb for a Devils squad sitting sixth in the Metropolitan Division and now seven points behind the Islanders for the third divisional playoff spot.
The Wild Card race isn’t any easier - they’re nine points back of the Bruins.
After dropping this one in regulation, the Devils are stuck at 58 points. To hit 99 and have a real shot at sneaking in, they’d need to close the season with something like a 20-6-1 run. That’s not impossible, but it’s a tall order for a team still trying to find its footing.
A Glimmer from Timo Meier
If there was a silver lining in Ottawa, it came from Timo Meier. The winger has had a tough go since returning in December from a family-related leave of absence.
In 19 games, he’d managed just two goals and two assists - a steep drop-off from his usual production. He hadn’t scored in his last six games.
That changed in the first period when Meier snapped a quick release past Linus Ullmark to get the Devils on the board. It was the kind of goal that could do more than just break a slump - it could re-ignite a player who’s capable of being a game-changer.
Meier looked more assertive, more confident, and more involved, even on the power play. And with Jack Hughes still sidelined, the Devils desperately need someone to shoulder the offensive load. If Meier can tap back into the form that made him one of the league’s most dangerous wingers, there’s still a flicker of hope for this team.
What’s Next
The Devils now sit at 28-25-2 and will return home to face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night. It’s the kind of game they have to win - not just for the standings, but to keep belief alive in the locker room and among a fanbase growing restless.
The margin for error is gone. If New Jersey’s going to make a run, it has to start now.