2 quick takeaways from Senators' rough 3-1 loss to Devils at home
It was time for the Ottawa Senators to go runnin' with the Devil in their fourth game of the season at home against the New Jersey Devils. This game was personal for head coach Travis Green who didn't return to the Devils after serving as interim head coach for 21 games last season.
Ottawa's offense was looking to build off of its eight-goal performance on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. Unfortunately, Ottawa couldn't catch a break looking to win its second consecutive game.
The Devils defeated the Senators 3-1 at Canadian Tire Centre to drop the Senators to 2-2-0 on the season. Tonight was the Senators' fourth consecutive home loss to the Devils.
The Senators appeared to have caught the Devils at the right time with the Devils playing their third game in four days, but the Senators couldn't get a break.
2. Anton Forsberg was better, but is still a concern
For the second consecutive game, Linus Ullmark was out due to a strain injury. Anton Forsberg would get the start in goal again and needed to have a better game after allowing in three goals on nine shots on goal in Monday's win against the Kings.
Forsberg did allow three goals again for the second consecutive game, but did make 33 saves. After stopping all 10 Devils shots on goal in the first period, Forsberg allowed in two goals in a 3:47 span in the second period. One of the goals allowed was a shorthanded goal off of a turnover by Claude Giroux that Nathan Bastian scored on.
The Devils iced the game in the third period when Paul Cotter scored his fifth goal of the season with 7:21 remaining to make it 3-0.
Forsberg's game on Monday left fans concerned that his Senators tenure could be on wits end, but Forsberg did play better, but allowing in three goals again is still showing inconsistency. The Senators desperately need Ullmark to return in order give the Senators a better chance to win.
1. The Sens offense simply couldn't catch a break
The Senators' offense was riding high after scoring eight goals in their previous game on Monday. Having a high powered offensive game against the Kings shows the potential that the Senators' offense is capable of showing game after game. Unfortunately for the Senators, they couldn't catch a break offensively against the Devils.
Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom made 30 saves to help improve the Devils to 5-2-0 on the season. Brady Tkachuk did score his first goal of the season on a powerplay, but it came too little too late with 1:05 remaining in the third period. The Senators did avoid getting shutout, but the loss was still brutal with the offense not being able to catch a break.
When the Senators have lost this season, they have scored one goal in each game. The Senators also hit the post four times against the Devils, and two of the post shots came in the first period.
The Senators will be back in action on Saturday afternoon against Atlantic Division foe Tampa Bay Lightning as they close out their three-game home stand. Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET at Canadian Tire Centre. The Lightning won tonight 4-3 against the Vegas Golden Knights to improve to 3-0-0 on the season. The Senators won the season series against the Lightning last season with a 3-1-0 record.