While we've been watching the recent exploits of the red-hot Vancouver Canucks and the Boston Bruins (both of whom finally lost a game on Tuesday), the Ottawa Senators quietly have been making a steady move up the NHL's leaderboard.

	The Senators' streak
	Opponent	Result
	at Islanders	Win, 5-3
	Panthers	Win (OT), 3-2
	Sabres	Win, 4-1
	at Hurricanes	Tie, 4-4
	Canadiens	Win, 3-2
	Blue Jackets	Win, 5-2
	Maple Leafs	Win, 2-0
	at Islanders	Tie, 2-2
	at Capitals	Win, 6-2
	Islanders	Win, 4-2
	Total	8-0-2, 38-20

The talented Sens, who face off against the Blackhawks on Wednesday night in Chicago, have pieced together a 10-game unbeaten streak. Their hot run began after an embarrassing 7-1 loss in Boston on Nov. 9. Since then, the Senators have gone 8-0-2, outscoring their opponents, 38-20.

Even in Ottawa, where the locals have been closely following the Jason Spezza now-he's-here, now-he's-not saga (for the record, right now he's not after being shipped back to Binghamton on Monday), the Senators' hot streak has been a bit overlooked.

What can't be overlooked, though, is the play of right wing Marian Hossa. Like 1997 first-round draft classmate Joe Thornton, the 6-foot-1, 208-pound Hossa is taking his game to a higher level this season. The Senators' veteran coaching staff, which includes longtime head man Jacques Martin and assistants Perry Pearn and Roger Neilson, has been raving about Hossa's recent play.

And, they've done so with good reason.

Hossa carries a franchise-record, 13-game point scoring streak into the Windy City. During the streak, the 23-year-old Slovakian native has 12 goals and 10 assists to propel him into the league scoring race. The coaches aren't surprised by Hossa's continued emergence. Rather, they feel it's a natural result of his maturity as a player.

Hossa's maturing process continues in Chicago on Wednesday. The way he's playing, that's probably bad news for the Blackhawks.

Who's next?
The Sharks would like to hire ex-Ducks and Caps coach Ron Wilson to replace the fired Darryl Sutter. GM Dean Lombardi has contacted Wilson about the position. Meanwhile, the Flames likely will promote their minor league coach Jim Playfair (Saint John/AHL) to take over for the departed Greg Gilbert. That said, the Flames would be wise to have a serious conversation with the more experienced Sutter before making a final decision.

E.J. Hradek writes hockey for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at ej.hradek@espnmag.com.