Comrie News

Like most veteran hockey men, Bryan Murray has his war stories. Tellingly, the Ottawa Senators' general manager is just as likely to reminisce about the junior teams he coached in Pembroke and Rockland in the old Canadian Junior Hockey League as he is about his former NHL clubs.

The schedule alone promised an eventful weekend. But to meet and beat the Detroit Red Wings, affix Steve Yzerman his rightful place in the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame, plus lose the services of double 50-goal scorer Dany Heatley, all in a 24-hour span, was a little over the top.

Ottawa Senators' Chris Phillips, left, pushes Atlanta Thrashers' Ilya Kovalchuk off the puck during the second period.

Round numbers were everywhere last night as the Ottawa Senators regained the form they have displayed for the better part of the past two months.

Considering what he has to navigate through over the next few weeks, Bryan Murray might soon find himself wondering why he ever agreed to be general manager of the Ottawa Senators.

Daniel Alfredsson's goal in the second period proved to be the difference, as the Ottawa Senators held on to edge the Toronto Maple Leafs, 2-1, at Air Canada Centre.

And the players like that feeling. So many familiar faces treading on such familiar territory, so why does everything seem so different about this Ottawa Senators team? In their opening-round series, the Senators knocked off the Pittsburgh Penguins in five games, mimicking the five-game victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning last April.

The posters above the entrance to Scotiabank Place portray three players key to the team's fortunes this year -- from left, Chris Phillips, Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza.

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey a The Ottawa Senators didna t just tease their fans last night.

After missing the playoffs for three straight years, there's no doubt that everybody who files out of the Edmonton Oilers dressing room prior to Saturday's season-opener has something to prove.

Some of this was attributed to the defense-first system that new coach Craig Hartsburg instituted.

Pucks haven't bounced Ottawa's way much the past two seasons, but defenceman Matt Carkner and goalie Pascal Leclaire hope to change that.

The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds bear little resemblance to the team that occupied the Ontario Hockey League basement last season -- and they can thank their revamped defence.

It wasn't all that long ago the Ottawa Senators were considered to be among the elite of the NHL's Eastern Conference, but times have changed and so have their expectations.

Like the rest of the Northeast, the Ottawa Senators come into the season with a question that, if it gets answered, gives them the best shot at second place.

Mike Fisher is all smiles as he enjoys his third goal of the night against Montreal with Nick Foligno, left, and Erik Karlsson Saturday.

The bad blood between ex-hometown hero Mike Comrie and local hockey lovers seems to be dissipating.

Alex Kovalev faces his former teammates for the first time tonight as the Ottawa Senators host the Montreal Canadiens on a night when all six Canadian teams take to the ice in preseason action.

Former Sharks left-winger Milan Michalek has posted three consecutive seasons with at least 23 goals and 55 points.

New Senators goalie Pascal Leclaire stopped 14 of 16 shots in Ottawa's 3-1 loss to Florida in both teams' preseason opener Tuesday night.