Besides the All-Star festivities, there hasn’t been much to cheer about in Ottawa of late. The Senators have managed just two wins in their last nine games, and they have fallen from potentially challenging Boston for the Northeast division title to battling for a playoff spot. The fact that Ottawa had played a busier month and a half prior to February meant that several teams have had the chance to catch them in the first half of February, but that has yet to happen.The reason that Ottawa are still seventh in the East, and even by win percentage they just about sneak into the top eight, is because the teams below them have slipped up. Toronto has won five of its last 10, but has lost its last three. They are two points behind their Ontario rivals, though they still have two games in hand. Meanwhile, Washington has won just three of their last 11 games, they are three points behind the Sens with two games in hand.

Few expected Paul Maclean’s team to be competing for a playoff spot this late in the season, but they have caught teams by surprise with an explosive offense. They were able to ride a hot streak from goaltender Craig Anderson from late December through January, and there are signs that this team is starting to re-discover that form.

Jason Spezza and Erik Karlsson are possibly the two most important players for this team. When they are playing well, they can drive this offense. Spezza endured a six-game pointless streak from Jan 21-Feb 4, but he now has six points in his last three games. Meanwhile, Karlsson had gone without a point in four straight games before registered a goal and an assist in Ottawa’s 4-3 shootout loss to Edmonton this weekend.

This is a young team that still faces an uphill to make the playoffs in a wide open Eastern conference. However, there are positive signs that Paul Maclean has this team believing in itself and buying into his system. The Senators have skill at every position and are not burdened with the same organisational pressure to make the playoffs that the likes of the Capitals and Maple Leafs currently suffer from.

One real concern might by Kyle Turris. Turris has just one assist in his last nine games after scoring 14 points in his first 16 games with the club. There was a good indication that Turris had started to tap into his potential during that 16-game stretch, but his history of struggle in the NHL may have some hoping that he re-discovers his confidence sooner rather than later.