When the Ottawa Senators finally got on the ice for a late afternoon practice at the Pengrowth Saddledome on Wednesday afternoon, it was clear their mood was bright.

A victory will do that for a team, especially after the miserable stretch the Senators had gone through since just before the Olympic break, when they lost four of five games (one in a shootout).

So even if their skid-breaking 4-1 victory came over last-place Edmonton -- a team some critics are saying is the worst Oilers club ever -- the Senators were happy.