Devils vs. Senators

                                                                                         

New Jersey Devils -150 vs. Ottawa Senators

Losers of four of their last five contests, the Ottawa Senators have underwent subtle changes. Earlier this season Ottawa's top scores Daniel Alfredsson, Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza were put on one line together and the offense flowed. It flowed so well, in fact, that the line was affectionately dubbed the "Pizza Line" because fans were receiving free pizza on a regular basis due to the Senators' goal output, largely due to the actions of the three goal scores on the line.

But as old pizza tends to do, the line has become to grow stale. In the last four games, in which the team has gone 1-3-1, Ottawa (11-13-5) has scored four goals and coach Craig Hartsburg has decided to dole out the scorers to other lines to attempt to boost his teams offense. The new look Senators will travel to New Jersey to play the surging Devils (17-9-3), winners of 7 of their last ten.

During Ottawa's latest slump, team scoring leader Heatley and Spezza have failed to notch a point and Alfredsson has only contribute a goal. Ottawa scored one goal, while Martin Gerber allowed four against the Thrashers Tuesday night. Gerber has started three of the past four games, but will be replaced by Alex Auld in New Jersey.

Replacing goaltenders is not a luxury in New Jersey, rather a necessity. The Devils were predicted to drop like a rock in the standings upon Martin Brodeur's departure from the team due to a torn bicep early last month, but they have done just the opposite. Scott Clemmensen has filled his predessor's shoes-er skates-quite admirably. Clemmensen is 9-1-1 in his last 11 games and has won five of his last six starts. Kevin Weekes was initially going to be New Jersey's stop-gap solution, but Clemmensen's strong play has promoted him to number one while the team awaits the return of Brodeur.

Helping Clemmensen is an offense that has scored 21 times in the last five games. Wednesday night at Buffalo, the Devils won 5-3 behind Patrik Elias' two assists. Elias has nine goals and 23 points over his past 14 games.

New Jersey has won five of seven versus Ottawa at home. The teams split their four meeting a season ago.

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