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The commute home for Christmas was a little easier for Dylan DeMelo this year.

Not long after the Ottawa Senators wrapped up their pre-holiday schedule Saturday night with a 4-0 loss to the Washington Capitals, the veteran defenceman packed up the car Sunday morning and made the six-hour drive to his home near London, Ont. to enjoy a break from the NHL schedule.

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While DeMelo, 25, was spending some time at home, he’s certainly looked at home in his new role on the Senators’ blueline after being part of the blockbuster trade that sent Erik Karlsson to the San Jose Sharks on the first day of camp in September.

Nobody was sure what DeMelo would bring to the table, but he’s been a good addition.

Photo by Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS

“I’ve been very pleased,” DeMelo said in an interview with Postmedia on Saturday before facing the Caps. “When I got traded here I didn’t know exactly what was going to happen or what my role would have been. I just tried to take thing as they come. The coaching staff has trusted me to play a top four role for the most part, playing special teams and playing with (Thomas Chabot).