Ottawa @ New Jersey preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 21, 2019 ) Ottawa 0, New Jersey 4

The New Jersey Devils needed to get away from home to find some traction after a dreadful start to the season while the struggling Ottawa Senators need to find a way to reverse their fortunes on the road. New Jersey hopes to escape the Metropolitan Division cellar with eight of its next 12 at home, beginning with Wednesday night's matchup against the Senators.

The Devils were torched for 15 goals during a winless three-game homestand (0-2-1) before tightening up their play. not allowing a third-period goal in the three wins on their five-game trek. "We’re in these situations more and more and have handled them better as of late," coach John Hynes said of his team's ability to protect leads after Sunday's 2-1 win in Vancouver. "Really liked the way we were able to handle that and find a way to be able to win the game.” The Senators, who started 1-6-1, finally posted back-to-back wins for the first time last week only to follow it up with an 8-2 drubbing at Carolina on Monday to fall to 1-6-1 on the road. "This is a process. We're not going to be great every night," Ottawa coach D.J. Smith said after Tuesday's practice. "We're going to put our work boots on tomorrow and be ready to play."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TVAS, Sportsnet 360 (Ottawa), MSG (New Jersey)

ABOUT THE SENATORS (6-10-1): Anders Nilsson was named the NHL's First Star of the Week on Monday after winning all three starts and allowing a combined five goals, but the glow wore off within hours when he was yanked after allowing four tallies on 19 shots at Carolina. Smith declined to name his starter for Wednesday's game, telling reporters he would consult with goaltending coach Pierre Groulx before making his decision. Brady Tkachuk has scored in four of his last seven games but was blanked in both meetings with the Devils last season.

ABOUT THE DEVILS (5-7-4): Mackenzie Blackwood, who has never faced Ottawa, firmed up his grip on the No. 1 netminder role during the road trip, starting four of the five games and yielding five goals in his three wins. Leading scorer Taylor Hall has points in eight of his last nine games despite scoring just twice this season, but he has six tallies and 16 points in 16 matchups against the Senators. "Hockey is weird sometimes," Hall said. "You don't play well and you get a couple of goals, and you play pretty well and nothing really goes your way."

OVERTIME

1. Devils C Nico Hischier has zero goals and four assists in six home games.

2. Senators D Thomas Chabot remains stuck on one goal and is mired in an 11-game drought.

3. New Jersey is 26th on the power play (13.6 percent) while Ottawa ranks dead last (6.6).

PREDICTION: Devils 3, Senators 2