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Devils open new arena, take on hot Senators

Oct 27, 2007 - 1:47 PM Ottawa (8-1-0) at New Jersey (3-5-1) 7:00 pm EDT

NEWARK, New Jersey (Ticker) - Finally, the New Jersey Devils get to try out their new digs.

The struggling Devils host Ray Emery and the red-hot Ottawa Senators on Saturday.

New Jersey began the season with nine straight road games as it waited for the finishing touches to be put on the new, $380 million Prudential Center.

The Devils could use some home cooking after losing six of nine to start 2007-08. The club has lost three straight, including a 2-0 loss to the New York Rangers on Thursday - the third time its been blanked this season.

The new home may also help future hall of fame goaltender Martin Brodeur, who is just 2-5 between the pipes and has a sub-par 3.30 goals-against average.

However, the three-time Vezina Trophy winner is 28-17-0 with four ties and a 2.18 GAA in 49 regular-season games against the Senators.

Ottawa, which defeated New Jersey in five games in the 2007 Eastern Conference Semifinals, has the best record in the league. The Senators defeated the Florida Panthers, 4-1, last Saturday for their third straight win.

It was the first game back for Emery, who missed the first eight games recovering from offseason wrist surgery. The 25-year-old Emery, who posted a 2.06 GAA vs. the Devils in last year's playoffs, stopped 31 shots vs. the Panthers last week.

Center Jason Spezza, who had three goals and five assists against the Devils in the postseason, leads the team with 11 assists, and is second with 12 points this season. Right wing Daniel Alfredsson tops Ottawa with 13 points (six goals, seven assists).

The Devils won three of four from the Senators in the 2006-07 regular season.