Tim Baines

With a little luck on his side, Leevi Merilainen gave the Ottawa Senators the goaltending boost they needed Sunday. Article content

Maybe it's not an impossible dream, maybe the long-standing notion Ottawa Senators fans can't have nice things can soon be thrown out the window.

In a physical game, the Canadian aggressiveness cost them. Seven times, the U.S. had the man-advantage with Canada serving penalties; three times they scored. That was the difference.

As far as road trips go, it's gone about as well as it could for the Ottawa Senators, who have three games left on their nine-game away swing.

Ottawa had three goalies on the ice for practice Wednesday: Anton Forsberg, who's close to a return from injury, Leevi Merilainen and Mads Sogaard.

With the heartbreak fresh, their eyes still red from post-game tears, Canadian kids talked about the gut-wrenching disappointment they were feeling after an early elimination from the world junior hockey championship.

Losing in the quarterfinals to Czechia wasn't in the plans, but the scoreboard never lies, right?

It may have been the best weekend of the NHL season for the Ottawa Senators. Article content

It's not a sleight of hand, what the Ottawa Senators are doing on the ice these days is very much for real. Article content Article content

The red-hot Ottawa Senators continue their three-game road trip with a Tuesday game in New York, against the Rangers.