The New Jersey Devils loss to the Ottawa Senators was a reminder of how far they’ve fallen. Taking a step back, it’s a reminder for both teams of what could have been. Linus Ullmark made his much-anticipated return, but otherwise, the game had minimal significance for the league and presumably most hockey fans.
The Devils particularly look like a lost team, and the 4-1 defeat was about as bad as it got. They didn’t show up, and the clock is ticking on their season and this group as we know it. At this point, it feels like change is around the corner.
If Only The Devils Were Healthy
There’s an alternative universe where the Devils stay healthy all season. The fans got a glimpse into that world when the team won 16 of its first 24 games, even though they suffered injuries during this stretch. At that pace, they would have won 52 games and finished either in first or second in the Metropolitan Division. Ironically, that’s what 2022-23 looked like, so when this team is healthy, they’ve shown what they can do.
Then the injuries overwhelmed, and the rug was pulled out from underneath them. Jack Hughes suffered a season-altering injury, and everything unraveled. Without him, the team didn’t have answers, especially on the offensive end.
Then the Devils were exposed elsewhere, starting off the ice and moving down to the small details on it. The Quinn Hughes trade rumors got to them, and the lack of movement afterwards weighed on the players. The defense isn’t great, and the goaltending is inconsistent. The core is good, but it can’t take over games unless Hughes is there. It’s left the Devils searching for answers and coming up empty.
Senators Aren’t Faring Much Better
This season was supposed to be a big one for the Senators, where they took a step forward and became one of the elite teams in the Eastern Conference. Instead, everything fell apart. It started with injuries, and then distractions took over as rumors and off-ice issues made their way into it.
The thing with the Senators is that they have their issues as well. The depth, which was great last season, isn’t there. Goaltending was a strength last season and is a weakness this time around. They aren’t well-coached either, and it’s held them back.
It’s fascinating because a lot of scouts and talent evaluators like the Senators. A few of them have noted that they’ll be fine in the end despite their in-season issues. The disconnect between the hockey world and the results is that the core is great, and it’s why there’s optimism. The problem is everything else.
Which Team Has a Better Outlook For The Future?
At this point, the Senators have a better outlook, at least because they are on a different timeline. Their contention window is just opening while the Devils are seeing theirs close.
On top of that, the Senators have a core that can be trusted. Tim Stutzle does it all at the center spot, while Brady Tkachuk is the power forward who plays a physical role, and Jake Sanderson is the elite two-way defenseman who can take over at the point. Even with this season being a wash, they’ll bounce back down the road.
The Devils, on the other hand, have fun pieces. Yet, that’s what they are, fun pieces. They make highlight plays and are exciting to watch. However, they aren’t winning pieces, and in the big picture, it’s a problem.