from Ian Mendes of Sportsnet,

With five consecutive losses in a row — all in regulation time — the Ottawa Senators players can feel the pressure mounting in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

“It’s frustrating. When you get frustrated, you grip your stick tighter or whatever. We have to get our swagger back, if that’s what you want to call it,” said forward Chris Neil on Wednesday morning.

The Senators did not hit the ice in Philadelphia on Wednesday, opting for an off-ice workout at the team’s hotel instead. A lengthy practice probably would not help the Senators right now, as many of their problems appear to be mental at this stage of the game. The club is well aware that their recent slide has many people wondering if they have the resolve to make the playoffs.

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