Buzzapp Master 
Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators rough it up during third period of Game 1. The Canadian PressArticle content
The Ottawa Senators got knocked down, but they swear they will get back up again.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Accountor
Article content
The first chapter of the Battle of Ontario since 2004 is in the books, and the Ottawa Senators spent Monday licking their wounds after a 6-2 loss in Game 1 of the series on Sunday night at Scotiabank Arena.
Article content
Article content
The Senators will turn the page and move on to Game 2 on Tuesday in Toronto before the series moves to a raucous Canadian Tire Centre for Game 3 on Thursday.
Article content
Article content
Coach Travis Green hasn’t ruled out making changes in Game 2 and it would make sense for veteran winger Nick Cousins to suit up. This will be a tough series and he can get under the skin of the Leafs by being a pest.
Article content
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Article content
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
Green and his staff met with the Senators at the club’s downtown hotel on Monday at noon, but he wasn’t about to shed any light on what he told the troops as they prepared for Round 2 when the media inquired.
Article content
“We’re going to have to play better than we did last night to win,” Green told TSN 1200’s Gord Wilson.
Article content
That’s an understatement.
Article content
The Senators weren’t at their best in Game 1 and they know it.
Article content
Thirteen players with Ottawa had never suited up in a National Hockey League playoff game in their career — and many of them showed it. It’s not that the Senators were bad, they just weren’t good enough.
Article content
That needs to change and it has to happen quickly.
Article content
Article content
“We had a lot of guys who hadn’t played in a playoff game and that was exciting,” Green said. “It’s hard not to be. You get into that kind of atmosphere and it’s rambunctious. Both teams came out physical.
Article content
Article content
“I thought we were a little nervous to start the game. Our passing wasn’t quite where it needed to be, but I thought it got better as the game went on.”
Article content
Brady Tkachuk, one of those making his playoff debut, noted last week that his brother Matthew — who won a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers last spring — advised the Ottawa captain to take it one game at a time.
Article content
The Senators have only lost one game and this series is far from over, but they are battling the odds here.
Article content
“It wasn’t the result we wanted, but there are still some positives to take away from last night’s game,” alternate captain Thomas Chabot said. “Once you get through it (that first game), it’s a lot of learning for all of us, and it’s good that we went through it.
