Both Zack Ostapchuk and Artem Zub each scored a pivotal goal against Devils

Yesterday afternoon, the Ottawa Senators headed to Prudential Center to take on the New Jersey Devils in the second meeting of the season. The Senators were eager to avenge their 3-1 loss against the Devils in the first meeting in Ottawa on Oct. 17.

The Senators earned a big 2-1 road win against the Devils. The win improved the Senators to 24-18-4 on the season and 5-0-1 in their last six games.

The win would also put the Senators in the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference with 52 points. While Anton Forsberg made 25 saves and out-dueled Jacob Markstrom, Zack Ostapchuk and Artem Zub scored the goals for the Senators. But, the goals Ostapchuk and Zub each scored were both pivotal goals to not only help the Senators win, but for themselves.

Ostapchuk scores his first career goal and Zub scores his first GWG since 2021

Ostapchuk got his first NHL experience last season by playing in seven games, but he recorded no points. In the first 31 games Ostapchuk played this season, he would only record three assists. In his 39th career NHL game, it would be a special one.

At 13:16 of the second period, Ostapchuk scored his first NHL goal against Markstrom, a former All-Star goaltender. Ostapchuk didn't even know he scored his first NHL goal until Matthew Highmore celebrate behind the net. It was a special moment for the 21-year-old.

"I kind of just black out a little bit," Ostapchuk said on his goal in his postgame interview following the win against the Devils. "It's just a great feeling."

The game was tied at one heading into the third period. Prior to yesterday, Zub only scored one goal this season which was an empty-net goal against the New York Islanders six days ago. At 2:50 of the third period, Zub sniped a shot past Markstrom to give the Senators a 2-1 lead.

Zub now has 19 goals in his NHL career at 29 years old, but yesterday was Zub's second career game-winning goal. Yesterday marked the first time since April 17, 2021, that Zub scored a game-winning goal. While defensemen like Zub aren't known for their goal scoring, chances to score don't come often, but it's pivotal when they do.

"If we get the opportunity, you have to shoot," Zub said in his postgame interview following the win against the Devils.

Ostapchuk, Zub and the Senators now shift their focus to tomorrow night with a huge showdown against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers trail the Senators by four points in the Eastern Conference standings, and the Rangers defeated the Senators 2-1 on Nov. 1 in the first meeting of the season.