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COLUMBUS — One area head coach D.J. Smith was determined to make the Ottawa Senators better was in their own end.

There aren’t any complaints in that department.

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The Senators were among the worst defensive teams in the National Hockey League last season, but, coming off Monday’s 1-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, they ranked No. 13 in the 31-team league with 71 goals against.

The Senators have been helped by the solid play of goalies Anders Nilsson and Craig Anderson, who have been a big reason why the team is 8-5-0 during one of the toughest stretches of the 2019-20 schedule, which continues Wednesday at home against the Boston Bruins.

“There’s less indecisiveness (in the defensive zone),” alternate captain Mark Borowiecki said before facing the Jackets. “Who’s got who? Is this my guy? Do I make this switch? On faceoffs, we’re very basic. You know what your responsibilities are. They’re outlined for you and you just stick with them.