It was a hard fought loss for the Senators on Sunday night, as Calgary’s Austin Czarnik sniped the game-winning goal on Craig Anderson with just 40 seconds left in regulation.

To add insult to injury, the goal came mere seconds after Ottawa’s new addition, Anthony Duclair, shot the puck off the post on a breakaway.

Despite the tough result, Senators coach Guy Boucher was impressed with his team’s effort against the Western Conference leading Flames.

“They gave absolutely everything they have,” said Boucher of the Senators’ players. “I was hoping that they could get something positive that we can draw from on this one but it’s tough.”

Sunday’s loss comes one day before the NHL’s trade deadline, and despite having already dealt Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel to Columbus earlier in the week, the Senators are expected to be heavily involved in deadline day.

Forward Mark Stone, who’s scored at an over a point-per-game pace this year, and defenseman Cody Ceci were both scratched heading into the game against Calgary as a way to protect them in case of a trade.

The game also marked the first time that Senators’ first-round pick Brady Tkachuk faced off against his older brother Matthew. Each brother managed to put the puck in the back of the net in the contest. However, only Brady’s counted on the score sheet as Matthew’s goal was called back in the first period after being challenged for goaltender interference.

That challenge would come back to relevance later in the game, as Ottawa’s Bobby Ryan shoved a puck past David Rittich in the third period, only for it to also be overturned on a challenge for goaltender interference.

The Senators head to Washington Monday to face the reigning Stanley Cup champions on trade deadline day. Ottawa will get a chance to know what their roster will look like to close out the season before the 7:00 p.m. puck drop, as all trades must be completed by 3:00 p.m.