The Senators-Leafs series is going to six games — at least — and the shift in sentiment around the two teams has been seismic

Entering Game 3, the Senators' quest was to pour every ounce of resolve they had to get back into the Battle of Ontario. But by night's end, all anyone could do was marvel at how Ottawa fans took their building back. 

As painful as Tuesday's setback was for the Senators, they remain a young team playing with house money. While no one would write them off yet, you know that GM Steve Staios and his crew are making notes on where the Senators need to improve. 

For the first time since former general manager Pierre Dorion signed Claude Giroux to a three-year free agent deal in July 2022, the Senators forward is heading into the playoffs with his hometown Ottawa team. Little wonder Giroux seems to be sporting a wide grin these days.

In less than two years, Senators owner Michael Andlauer has transformed Ottawa into a playoff team. Now, ahead of a potential Battle of Ontario against the Leafs, the self-made billionaire feels right at home.

Ottawa Senators winger David Perron and his wife have learned more about the priorities of family and hockey over the past eight months than they care to know. Wayne Scanlan checks in on their life-altering story.