Devils at Senators
The New Jersey Devils have halted a dispiriting losing trend with three consecutive victories and hope to continue their revival when they visit the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night. The Devils had dropped 10 of 12 games (2-8-2) before knocking off Buffalo and Philadelphia, then they limited Pittsburgh to 16 shots in a 3-1 triumph Saturday to move back into second place in the Metropolitan Division.
“Prior to this three-game stretch here, it wasn’t good enough,” New Jersey center Brian Boyle told reporters. “Everybody wants to turn it around. It’s not a light switch. It takes hard work and I think everybody is committed to doing that.” Left wing Taylor Hall, who is slated to play his 500th NHL game Tuesday, attempts to extend his point streak to 11 contests as the Devils go for a season series sweep of the Senators after winning the first two. Ottawa missed a chance for its first three-game winning streak since mid-October with a 4-1 setback at Montreal on Sunday afternoon. “We’re a little passive at some times and we give (opponents) a little bit too much space,” Senators All-Star defenseman Erik Karlsson told reporters. “No matter who we play, it seemed like we’re staying on the inside and letting them roll around a bit and wait for opportunities instead of taking control of the situation.”
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG Plus (New Jersey), TSN5, RDS (Ottawa)
ABOUT THE DEVILS (27-16-8): Keith Kinkaid has been in net for all three victories during the streak, allowing five goals combined, with No. 1 goaltender Cory Schneider (groin) out and Eddie Lack has been recalled to back him up. “It’s good to see Keith take over,” New Jersey coach John Hynes told reporters. “We were going through a lull the last 10 games where we didn’t get good goaltending. There was a challenge. It’s nice to see Keith rise up to the challenge.” Hall has six goals and nine assists during his streak and leads the team with 51 points - 20 better than his nearest competitors, rookie forwards Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier.
ABOUT THE SENATORS (17-25-9): Right wing Mark Stone (knee) is closing in on a return to the lineup after missing seven games and leads the team with 18 goals and 44 points - 10 better than the rest of the Senators. Karlsson owns six of his 34 points in the last six contests while left wing Mike Hoffman had the only goal Sunday and boasts four of his 34 points in a three-game span. Ottawa will need more from center Derick Brassard, who owns one point in his last 10 games, and major acquisition Matt Duchene has produced two goals in the past 11 contests after managing one shot on net against Montreal on Sunday.
OVERTIME
1. Ottawa G Craig Anderson will likely be back in net and is 9-3-2 lifetime with a .936 save percentage versus the Devils.
2. New Jersey C Travis Zajac ended a nine-game point drought with two goals and an assist Saturday.
3. Hoffman is two goals from 100 for his career and needs one shot on net to push his total to 900.