The benchmark for ceremonies seems to be the Montreal Canadiens, but quite frankly I think they are often over the top (I think they are still passing the torch around from opening night).

This season, the Ottawa Senators are showing that they can strike the right chord whether it is to honor tragedy, as they did earlier this season, or to celebrate greatness, like they did on Thursday.

The celebration of the career of Daniel Alfredsson was much like the player himself: muted, honest and to the point, and nearly perfect. It wasn't over the top, but was an appropriate culmination to a storied career, on that created a legend of sorts, at least in the City of Ottawa. For fans franchises that have been around for decades, it is tough to comprehend the impact Alfredsson has had on the Senators. He is so far and away above anyone else that has worn the jersey in terms of the combination of ability, work ethic and being not only a great athlete but a great person, he is in another orbit.

That is why fans were so hurt when he left for Detroit, and also why they were so quickly willing to bury the hatchet and welcome him back tot he community with open arms. He said in his press conference that he didn't feel worthy of such pomp and circumstance, but if he isn't, then nobody is.

The ceremony and Alfredsson's speech were both tasteful and elegant at the same time, and it was done up right.

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Now, on to the game, which a different story a pretty anti-climactic after the ceremony that preceded it.

If it was a one-time thing, you could blame the Senators lacklustre play on the Alfredsson distraction, but the play on the ice was pretty much par for the course this season - close, but not quite.

They held the Islanders to just 25 shots, but managed just 21 themselves, with more than half of them coming in the third period. After exchanging power play goals in the second period (Ottawa's coming on an extended 5 on 3) it was Casey Cizikas' third period marker that was the difference in the Islanders 2-1 win. It was the Senators' 4th loss in a row as they continue to struggle.

Erik Karlsson had the game on his stick in the dying second, but he cranked one off the post as time ran out. It would have been an interesting call had it gone in, because it would have been touch and go to see if it had crossed the line before time ran out.

Marc Methot made his season debut as Jared Cowen took a seat and Patrick Wiercioch was put on IR to make a roster spot for Methot. Self-admittedly, Methot was rusty and will get better as the games go on.

If there is any bright side to the Senators getting swept in the home and home series with the Isles, it is that they contained their best player and held John Tavares pointless in the two games.

The Senators have the double whammy of playing the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, and an afternoon game (1PM start). The Penguins are decimated by injury, with Pascal Dupuis, Beau Bennett and Kris Letang on IR, Chris Kunitz hurting and Patric Hornqvist leaving Thursday's game with an injury. But as long as the Pens have 2 guys named Crosby and Malkin, they won't be a pushover by any means.

But for one night, it was all about Alfie, and the game was the sideshow. For at least one night, the win or loss didn't matter as much.

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