OTTAWA -- After an emotionally draining week the Ottawa Senators would have loved nothing more than to give its fans a win, but the New Jersey Devils failed to comply as they posted a 3-2 overtime win over the Senators on Saturday.
The game was the Senators' first since the tragic events at the National War Memorial and Parliament Hill this past Wednesday. A touching tribute took place prior to puck drop as players and fans united to commemorate the loss of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent.
There was clearly disappointment from the sellout crowd of 19,266 as Jaromir Jagr scored the game winner for the Devils, but on this night the game was more about helping a grieving city heal than wins and losses.
Marek Zidlicky and Damon Severson also scored for the Devils (4-2-2), who snapped a four-game winless streak. Cory Schneider faced 35 shots.
Alex Chiasson and Bobby Ryan scored for the Senators (4-2-0) as Robin Lehner faced 29 shots. The loss snapped the Senators' four-game winning streak.
The Senators hadn't played since last Saturday as the game scheduled against the Leafs this past Wednesday was postponed due to the tragedies in Ottawa.
Trailing 2-1, Ottawa tied the game on Ryan's power-play goal midway through the third, but were unable to complete the comeback.
The Devils, who had a slow start to the game, came out with a better effort in the second and as such held a 2-1 lead.
Ottawa scored first as Chiasson took a pass down low and beat Schneider high stick side at the ten-minute mark, but the Devils tied it less than two minutes later on Severson's unassisted goal.
Severson took advantage of an Ottawa turnover along the boards at centre ice and came down to beat Lehner high over the shoulder.
New Jersey took the lead on Zidlicky's power-play goal from the point.
The game remained scoreless after the first period despite a couple of good chances by both teams.
Michalek, who continues to look for his first goal, had a great chance at the side of the net, but just couldn't bang it in.
The Devils, who were coming off a shootout loss to Dallas on Friday, put three solid shots together, but couldn't get anything past Lehner.
NOTES: The Senators were without Marc Methot (back, indefinite). Jared Cowen, Erik Condra and Colin Greening were healthy scratches for Ottawa. The Devils were without Jordin Tootoo (foot, indefinite), and Martin Havlat (facial lacerations). Adam Larsson was a healthy scratch.