from Wayne Scanlan of Sportsnet,

Players and coaches alike took turns trying to describe this bizarre, unmatching bookends of a 2020-21 campaign by the Ottawa Senators.

“It was the tale of two seasons,” said head coach D.J. Smith.

“NIght and day,” was how veteran forward Nick Paul, Ottawa’s Masterton Trophy nominee, described the horrendous 2-12-1 start for Ottawa before a turnaround that sparked a 10-3-1 finish.

“We just wish we could keep going here,” Brady Tkachuk said, the day after completing the season with a 4-3 overtime victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ottawa finished 23-28-5, for 51 points in 56 games, eight points behind the Montreal Canadiens holding down fourth place and the final playoff spot in the North Division.

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