The last time the Ottawa Senators hit the road for a western swing, they returned with three losses, two points and one bruised ego.

That last one came at the hands of former Senator Dany Heatley, who helped the San Jose Sharks thump the squad he snubbed last summer by a score of 5-2.

Trailing the Buffalo Sabres atop the National Hockey League's Northeast Division by two points (79-77), having played two more games (66-64) and having lost five four of their past five, the Senators know they have to be better away from home this time.