"All is not lost for the Ottawa Senators.

It only seems that way after Ottawa's sixth straight defeat came at the hands of the mortal enemy Toronto Maple Leafs, a true red-faced, 5-0 embarrassment.

Wasn't it just last week the NHL was taking notice during the all-star break of the feel-good story that was the Senators? How quickly things change – and can change back again, if only this team could stop the bleeding.

"We need to take a day, take a breath," said centre Jason Spezza, "and realize we're still in a good position."

Perspective won't come easily today as playoff rivals continue to gang up and move up on a Senators club standing still, but the truth is the Senators remain in a strong position considering their 61 points in the bank and, at the moment, a playoff position still (barely) ahead of the Maple Leafs.

Consider how lightly regarded the rebuilding Senators were in October, and this is all found money – legitimate playoff hopes four months in.

Of course, none of this cheery perspective was top of mind when the Leafs walked out of Scotiabank Place grinning after a destruction of the home team, with the "Go, Leafs, Go!" chants still ringing in the ears of Ottawa fans. Without question, the Senators were reeling from their toughest loss of the season and second straight at home to kick off a five-game stand (stagger is more like it, at the moment).

On the day of the game, players on both sides sang the praises of a rivalry renewed. How long has it been? — too long – since the Senators and Leafs were both in a playoff position this late in the season."