Since the last meeting between the New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators in October, the Eastern Conference playoff race has begun to tighten up and take shape.

The New Jersey Devils lost 2-1 to the Ottawa Senators on Sunday afternoon at the Prudential Center. A promising start to the game quickly dwindled as the Devils couldn’t finish their chances and eventually stopped generating many chances altogether.

The New Jersey Devils hosted the Ottawa Senators for the second game of a back-to-back. The visitors prevailed, beating the Devils 2-1.

Standing at the podium addressing the media after his team's 2-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators, New Jersey Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe called out his top players. "Our best players have to be better," he said. "It is that simple. End of statement."