OTTAWA – Having enjoyed all of one game as reigning Stanley Cup champs, the Devils run squarely into their old balloon-busters. Those who remember would rather not.

It was a loss to the Senators in 1996 that ended New Jersey’s season, the first reigning Stanley Cup champ to miss the playoffs in 25 years.

In 1998, the Devils were embarrassed again, ousted as top seed in the first round by the Senators.

They should be well on-guard against overconfidence as they visit those same Sens here tonight.

“If you go out there with your chest puffed out, someone’s going to deflate it for you,” Larry Robinson said. “You don’t stick it in someone else’s face. I’d know how I’d feel if someone stuck it in my face.

“Winning the Cup last year doesn’t do anything for us this year.”

The Devils will be re-starting the season tonight after a week’s break following their 8-4 victory over Montreal.

“I can’t wait for the season to start,” Randy McKay said.

The Devils are the last team in the NHL to play their second game.

Lost in the glory of their Stanley Cup chase was their less-than-stellar road record of 17-19-5, ending a string of three straight years above .500 on the road. Still, they believe that failing was erased by their 10-2 road mark in the playoffs.

“From our history, we are a pretty confident road team,” Bobby Holik said. “We essentially won our two Cups on the road, going 10-1 and 10-2. And we’ve won our biggest games on the road.

“We’re just mentally ready to play on the road. At home, we’re thinking that we’re so good on the road, and how great it’s going to be at home, and then we forget to work for it.”

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Sascha Goc is out with a sprained ankle, so Ken Sutton and Willie Mitchell will remain on defense.

Jennifer and Chris Terreri became parents of their second daughter, Jillian Jayne, born Wednesday.

Devils play host to Anaheim tomorrow night.