Ottawa Senators centre Jason Spezza scored his first goal of the season in Thursday's win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. (Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)This doesn't bode well for the Ottawa Senators.
Ottawa hosts the New Jersey Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada (6:30 p.m. ET, CBC, CBCSports.ca) and if recent history is any indication, the Devils will walk out of the nation's capital with two points in their back pocket.
New Jersey has won its last seven consecutive games against Ottawa and hasn't lost to the Senators in over two years.
What's more, the red-hot devils are currently riding a four-game unbeaten streak and have won 10 of their last 12 games overall, including a 2-1 win over the hometown New York Islanders on Friday night.
And if that wasn't impressive enough, consider this: New Jersey has won nine straight road games dating back to last season and is on the verge of claiming its eighth consecutive road win to open the season.
To put that in context, the Buffalo Sabres won an NHL-record 10 in a row on the road to begin the 2006-07 campaign.
As we said, this doesn't bode well for the Senators.
What's the secret behind the Devils' road success?
Expect Brodeur back in goal
Senators coach Cory Clouston thinks it's the balance they have at both ends of the ice.
"They're a structured team. They've got a dangerous line (with Zach Parise-Dainius Zubrus-Jamie Langenbrunner) and a dangerous goaltender (Martin Brodeur)," Clouston told the Ottawa Sun.
"We've got to have an awareness of what they can do."
Future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur was given Friday night off, but the veteran goalie is expected to back between the posts Saturday in Ottawa.
That's more bad news for the Senators, because Brodeur boasts an outstanding 19-8-2 record with a 2.07 goals-against average and five shutouts in 29 career starts in Ottawa.
Another shutout would move Brodeur into a tie with Terry Sawchuk for first place on the NHL's all-time list with 103.
The news isn't all bad for Ottawa, though.
After sitting out two games with back problems, Jason Spezza netted his first goal of the season, in overtime, in a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday.
Spezza also recorded assists on goals from Daniel Alfredsson and Fisher, so it would appear that the sniper has rediscovered his offensive form.
"I guess I don't have to answer questions about not scoring," said Spezza. "I felt pretty good about my game; I just wasn't getting many bounces."
With files from Canadian Press
