Hischier’s OT Heroics Lift Devils Over Senators in Thriller; Ottawa Maintains Wild-Card Edge
Hischier’s OT Heroics Lift Devils Over Senators in Thriller; Ottawa Maintains Wild-Card Edge
The New Jersey Devils showed incredible resilience on Sunday night, rallying from a third-period deficit to defeat the Ottawa Senators 4-3 in an overtime thriller at the Prudential Center. Captain Nico Hischier was the man of the hour, scoring his second goal of the night on a power play with just 1:45 remaining in the extra frame. The win was a testament to New Jersey's special teams, which accounted for two short-handed goals—one from Dawson Mercer to tie the game in the third and another from Connor Brown—to keep the Devils in a game where they were often outplayed at even strength.
Despite the loss, the Ottawa Senators managed to secure a vital point, keeping them in the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Senators had their four-game winning streak snapped but showed plenty of fire, with Shane Pinto, Michael Amadio, and Fabian Zetterlund all finding the back of the net in a frantic second-period surge. Goaltender James Reimer made 26 saves for Ottawa, but he was ultimately beaten by a perfectly placed shot from Hischier after a sustained period of Devils pressure in overtime.
Ottawa Senators: A Critical Point in the Playoff Hunt
The Senators' roster has evolved into a formidable group, led by the dynamic Tim Stützle and a supporting cast that includes Drake Batherson and Brady Tkachuk. Batherson's assist on Pinto's goal during the game moved him into 10th place on the franchise's all-time scoring list, a milestone that reflects the consistent production he has provided since joining the club. Ottawa currently holds 96 points and remains a dangerous wildcard threat as they prepare to finish their regular season against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday.
Defensively, the Senators have leaned heavily on Artem Zub and Jake Sanderson, who have both seen massive minutes in the closing stretch of the season. While their streak was snapped in Newark, the Senators' ability to control long stretches of the second period showed why they are seen as a potential spoiler in the postseason. Coach Travis Green noted after the game that while the overtime loss was disappointing, the effort level and the ability to secure a point on the road were positive signs heading into the final week of the schedule.
New Jersey Devils: Special Teams and Star Power
The New Jersey Devils have been one of the league's hottest teams down the stretch, winning 14 of their last 22 games to move to 87 points. While they remain just outside the playoff picture, the performance of Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier has given fans plenty to cheer about. Hughes notched two assists in the victory, reaching the 50-assist plateau for the second time in his career, while Hischier's three-point night was his fifth such performance of the season. The Devils' penalty kill was the story of the game, not only neutralizing Ottawa's threats but providing the offensive spark needed to turn the tide.
Goaltender Nico Daws earned the win with 27 saves, several of which were of the highlight-reel variety. The Devils' roster remains one of the youngest and fastest in the league, and their recent surge suggests that they will be a major player in the Metropolitan Division for years to come. With one game remaining against the Boston Bruins, the Devils are looking to finish the year on a high note and build momentum for what many expect to be a breakthrough 2026-27 campaign.
