Erik Karlsson gets another chance to settle in with Ottawa after impressing in the AHL. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

The Ottawa Senators have recalled 19-year-old rookie defenceman Erik Karlsson on the eve of a five-game road trip, sending Brian Lee back to the minors.

Karlsson started the season with Ottawa but had some rookie jitters. Since going back down to the AHL, the young Swede scored 11 points in 12 games with Binghamton.

Karlsson's next appearance will be his 10th game of the season with Ottawa, meaning the first year of his NHL contract kicks in.

"He's played well. He's gone down there, he's played big roles, a lot more minutes than he was playing up here," Clouston said. "He's really tried to balance his game out and hopefully he's able to bring that up here."

Lee had two goals and an assist in 13 games with the Senators but was pointless in his last six. He incurred a penalty that stalled Ottawa's second-period momentum in Thursday's home win over Columbus.

At home, the Senators have improved to an impressive 10-3-3, using a homestand that's seen them play 10 of their past 12 in friendly confines to vault into a share of the Northeast Division lead with the Boston Bruins.

On the road again

Following Saturday's game in Boston, the Senators travel to San Jose, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Anaheim.

"This last little string at home has been pretty good, but we've got to do it on the road as well," Senators defenceman Chris Phillips said Friday.

"It starts tomorrow night, a long trip, and you want to start it off right and just continue what we're doing," Phillips said. "We're playing a pretty solid game right now just with the basics — working hard, shooting the puck more and just getting chances and lately they've been going in for us."

On the road they're just 3-4-0, but they expect to get a boost with the return of a couple of key players at some point during the trip.

Defenceman Anton Volchenkov, who has missed four weeks with a dislocated elbow, practised Friday and there's a chance he may suit up Saturday, although Tuesday against San Jose is more likely.

Centre Mike Fisher may also play as early as Saturday after coach Cory Clouston said Fisher was feeling much better after resting the upper-body injury that's forced him to miss the past two games.

One thing that is sure to follow is the spotlight. It'll be waiting for the Senators in San Jose on Tuesday when they face former teammate Dany Heatley for the first time since his off-season trade request was granted.

"There's obviously going to be lots of hype about it and talk and media attention and when there is that much talking about it and everything surrounding the game, you want to come out on top for sure," Phillips said.

"And I guess he would want to [win] just as badly as we would, so it goes both ways."

With files from CBCSports.ca