Ottawa Senators bounce back with victory over New Jersey Devils

Senators winger Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates with Jake Sanderson (85) after scoring a second-period goal against the Devils on Saturday night. Photo by Adam Hunger /The Associated PressArticle content

SENATORS 3, DEVILS 2

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This night was about redemption for the Ottawa Senators.

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Mission accomplished.

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The Senators halted their two-game losing streak and inched closer to a National Hockey League playoff spot for the first time in eight years with a 3-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night at the Prudential Center.

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The Senators needed to take care of business. Coming off an ugly 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday at home, they had to have a better effort in this one with just 14 games left in the regular season.

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David Perron, Drake Batherson and Brady Tkachuk did the scoring as the Senators closed out their season series against the Devils with a 3-1-0 record.

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“We came out in the first two periods and we didn’t give them anything,” defenceman Thomas Chabot, who was suiting up for No. 500 of his career, told TSN 1200’s Gord Wilson. “They’re a big off-the-rush team and we didn’t give them a whole lot.

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“Teams are going to push in the third period and we didn’t give them much. That’s what matters. The games are going to be like that all the way until the end.”

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There were a few nervous moments when Eric Haula pulled the Devils to within a goal by scoring with 23.4 seconds left in the third period. The play was reviewed for a high stick but was a good goal.

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Then the Devils missed another tremendous chance with just six seconds left.

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This marks only the fourth time in franchise history the Senators have posted a 2-0 record in New Jersey during a season, and it’s the first time it has happened since 2016-17.

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The Senators also moved their overall record to 8-1-2 in March, which is why they’re in the playoff race in the NHL’s Eastern Conference.

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The win couldn’t have come at a better time because the Senators can’t afford any prolonged losing streaks.

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There was concern in the first period, though, when Tkachuk left the ice and appeared to be in discomfort. He returned in the second period and took a regular shift, but then had limited time in the third period.

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He told reporters on Wednesday that he was 100 per cent, but head coach Travis Green stated 10 days ago that Tkachuk was dealing with a bit of hip ailment.

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SHUFFLE THE DECK

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The Senators made changes up front to create some offence

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Green shook up his line combinations by moving newcomer Fabian Zetterlund to the right side of the top unit with Tkachuk and centre Tim Stutzle.

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Veteran Claude Giroux was moved to play with Shane Pinto and Ridly Greig. The only trio that stayed intact was Dylan Cozens between David Perron and Batherson.