Cory ends shutout drought

The Senators’ decision to sell off talent heading into the NHL trading deadline worked very well for Cory Schneider and the Devils.

Schneider made 30 saves in posting his first shutout since November 2017 and Devils beat the undermanned Senators, 4-0, on Thursday night in a game in which both teams gave indications they were getting ready to make trades in the next few days.

“It’s never easy,” Schneider said of the trading deadline. “You get to know these guys well and their families and, again, they’re not gone right just yet so you have to wait and see what happens, but just like we did tonight you have to be ready to play and move forward.” Both teams are likely to make trades before Monday’s deadline.

Ottawa scratched Mark Stone, Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel, its first, secondand fourth-leading scorers. Trade rumors have swirled about the forwards in recent weeks, and this was another sign the future free agents would be dealt.

The Devils scratched forward Marcus Johansson and veteran defenseman Ben Lovejoy. Johansson has been rumored to be on the trading block, while Lovejoy has played for a Stanley Cup winner with Pittsburgh.

“Both teams dealt with the same opportunities for distractions with guys being taken out of the lineup and I thought that our group was mentally ready to play,” coach John Hynes said.

The Devils were more than ready to go in winning for the third time in four games. They held the Senators to four first-period shots in opening a 2-0 lead and doubled it in the second period.