The Maple Leafs and Senators are provincial rivals, but Phaneuf said his rivals-turned- teammates have given him a warm welcome.
"We weren't able to find a way to get points, but the guys have been unbelievable in welcoming me to the team," he said.
Phaneuf, 30, who played with the Maple Leafs for seven seasons and was their captain, was traded to Ottawa along with forwards Matt Frattin, Casey Bailey and Ryan Rupert, and defenseman Cody Donaghey for defenseman Jared Cowen and forwards Milan Michalek, Colin Greening and Tobias Lindberg, along with Ottawa's second-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft.
"I thought he fit right in," Ottawa coach Dave Cameron said of Phaneuf. "He played in all situations for us. ... He's very vocal, I like that."
Phaneuf played on the second defense pair with Cody Ceci.
"A very vocal guy," Ceci said. "We were talking to each other quite a bit tonight, trying to get accustomed to each other."
Phaneuf did have an impact on one Red Wings player.
His slap shot hit Detroit defenseman Danny DeKeyser on the right leg, and DeKeyser was helped off the ice 45 seconds into the third period. He returned in the middle of the period, took a short shift and returned to the bench. But after talking to Red Wings trainer Piet Van Zant, DeKeyser went to the dressing room and didn't return.
Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said DeKeyser had a bruise and is day-to-day.