Martin after Sens blow return: It won't happen all in one day

Jacques Martin took a measured approach after the Ottawa Senators coughed up a three-goal lead and fell 4-3 to the Arizona Coyotes in his return behind the bench Tuesday night.

"The effort was there, it's just that we need to understand a couple areas (of improvement)," the Senators' head coach said postgame. "I'll break down the video and make sure that we have three or four areas (Wednesday) that we need to be better on Thursday night."

The Senators scored three times in the first period but allowed a goal in the second and three more in the third, including two in a 33-second span and then Michael Kesselring's winner with 3:33 remaining.

"It's going to be a process," the bench boss said. "It's not going to happen all in one day, but I think what I want to see is a progression as we move along here."

Despite Ottawa's strong start in the defeat, Arizona held a 13-7 advantage in shots on goal in the opening frame and ultimately prevailed 38-22 in that department. The Coyotes dominated possession as well, with 67.03% of the expected goals at five-on-five in the first period (despite trailing 3-0) and 70.26% of them in the game, according to Natural Stat Trick.

Things don't get any easier for Ottawa, as the Senators conclude their five-game road trip against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday.

The Senators fired previous head coach D.J. Smith on Monday, replacing him with Martin and franchise icon Daniel Alfredsson as an assistant. Martin guided the club from 1995-96 through 2003-04. He then led the Florida Panthers for three seasons and the Montreal Canadiens for two more full campaigns before they fired him in his third.

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