The healing is ongoing in Ottawa, and it's a process not lost on Bobby Ryan.
The American-born Senators star told reporters following Saturday's morning skate that he expects to require a deep breath after the National Anthem in order to focus on the game.
The Senators' CFL brethren staged a uniting preamble at TD Place Stadium on Friday night, but the atmosphere and emotion at the Canadian Tire Centre figures to be unrivalled.
An expectation understood by both teams:
Ryan says Sens and Devils want to put out an honest effort and "make sure everybody leaves here feeling better than they did coming in."
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) October 25, 2014
The NHL swiftly postponed the Senators' game Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs in response to the tragic attack on a Canadian soldier stationed at the National War Memorial.
The Senators will honor Cpl. Nathan Cirillo along with the men and women who serve the country before the game.