OTTAWA, ON — Jacob Markstrom stopped 30 shots and lost his shutout bid in the final minutes as the New Jersey Devils beat the Ottawa Senators 3-1 on Thursday night.
Erik Haula, Nathan Bastian and Paul Cotter scored for the Devils, who won for the third time in four games and improved to 5-2-0.
The Senators, who were coming off an 8-7 overtime victory against Los Angeles on Monday, struggled to beat Markstrom.
Brady Tkachuk was the only scorer for the Senators, beating Markstrom, with a power-play goal with 65 seconds remaining in the third period.
Anton Forsberg, making his second straight start and hoping to rebound after getting pulled Monday, made 32 saves in the loss.
Haula opened the scoring early in the second period and Bastian added a short-handed goal, giving New Jersey a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes. Cotter scored midway through the third.
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 17: New Jersey Devils Defenceman Seamus Casey (24) skates with the puck during first period National Hockey League action between the New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators on October 17, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 17: New Jersey Devils Goalie Jacob Markstrom (25) keeps eyes on the play during first period National Hockey League action between the New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators on October 17, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 17: Ottawa Senators Right Wing Zack MacEwen (17) applies pressure on the forecheck during first period National Hockey League action between the New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators on October 17, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 17: Ottawa Senators Goalie Anton Forsberg (31) makes a save on New Jersey Devils Center Nico Hischier (13) as Defenceman Thomas Chabot (72) looks on during second period National Hockey League action between the New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators on October 17, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 17: Ottawa Senators Left Wing Noah Gregor (73) closes on the play during first period National Hockey League action between the New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators on October 17, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 17: New Jersey Devils Right Wing Dawson Mercer (91) skates with the puck during third period National Hockey League action between the New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators on October 17, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 17: Ottawa Senators Defenceman Tyler Kleven (43) before a face-off during third period National Hockey League action between the New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators on October 17, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 17: New Jersey Devils Center Erik Haula (56) battles Ottawa Senators Center Shane Pinto (12) on a face-off during third period National Hockey League action between the New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators on October 17, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 17: New Jersey Devils Defenceman Brenden Dillon (5) prepares to block a shot during third period National Hockey League action between the New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators on October 17, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 17: New Jersey Devils Left Wing Paul Cotter (47) congratulates Goalie Jacob Markstrom (25) on the win after National Hockey League action between the New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators on October 17, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
