Devils' Keefe: 'Our best players have to be better'

New Jersey Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe challenged his star players after the team's losing streak hit four games with Sunday's 2-1 setback against the Ottawa Senators.

"Our best players have to be better," he said when asked how his team can fight its way out of it. "It's that simple. End of statement."

Captain Nico Hischier has scored three goals over the skid, while Jack Hughes has bagged one tally and two helpers. However, the two players were held without a point in New Jersey's last two losses, which both came in regulation. Jesper Bratt, meanwhile, has logged just one assist.

Sunday's defeat was particularly irksome, as the Devils outshot the Senators 16-2 in the first period but had nothing to show for it. Zack Ostapchuk opened the scoring for Ottawa in the second stanza, and though Tomas Tatar got New Jersey on the board, defenseman Artem Zub bagged the eventual game-winner early in the final frame. The Devils mustered just three shots in the last 20 minutes.

"I think we ran out of gas, there's no question on that," Keefe said.

He added, "We let a team hang around on a back-to-back on the road. Especially the way things are going for us, things start to pile up."

The bench boss noted he doesn't blame the Devils' defensive structure for their current predicament. All four of his team's recent losses were decided by two goals or less.

"Our structure has been fine, which is why we're hanging around in these games and not getting blown out. ... We've got to execute better," Keefe said. "I mean, we're in alone two, three times in the first period (against Ottawa with) some of our best people ... those got to go in the net with where we're at.

"We gotta convert, and when you don't, it's gonna be a tough game. It was a tough game here again today."

The Devils still occupy the second spot in the Metropolitan with a 26-17-6 record, but the Carolina Hurricanes are just one point behind with three games in hand. New Jersey is also a distant nine points back of the Washington Capitals for first place in the division, and the latter has played three fewer contests.

New Jersey has scored three or fewer goals in its last 11 games and is 2-6-3 over that span.

"We have elite players," Keefe said. "Once they get clicking again, we'll be rolling. ... Once these pucks start falling and guys can loosen up on their sticks a little bit and make some more plays, things will come together."

New Jersey will take on the Boston Bruins on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET.