OTTAWA -- The first time the Senators faced Auston Matthews, they were left with a bitter sweet memory.
The Toronto Maple Leafs rookie became the first player in modern NHL history to score four goals in his debut game, but the Senators still managed to prevail with a 5-4 overtime win in their home opener.
"It wasn't one systematic breakdown," Senators coach Guy Boucher recalled Friday. "It was him playing well. it was us opening up here and there. Things that we don't normally open up now.
"We're definitely better armed to face top players now, as a group.