For Ottawa Senators fans, the sweet taste of victory in March is no longer a distant memory. It`s back, and a major reason for this resurgence is their captain, Brady Tkachuk.
Coach Travis Green praised Tkachuk`s leadership, highlighting that he embodies everything a team could desire in a young captain.
While it was anticipated that Tkachuk, coming from a renowned hockey family, would shine in crucial games, it`s now happening as he propels his team towards playoff contention.
After a couple of losses, Tkachuk confidently predicted a strong comeback, and he delivered.
Last Saturday, Tkachuk spearheaded the team`s response, scoring the first goal in a significant 3-2 victory against New Jersey, pulling the Senators out of their brief slump.
However, the Senators` playoff journey this season might heavily depend on Tkachuk`s health, specifically his hip. Despite assuring everyone he`s at 100 percent, he has been managing a hip issue that was worsened at the Four Nations Faceoff, causing him to miss some games.
Concerns arose in the first period of a recent game when Tkachuk struggled to get to the bench, seemingly re-injuring his hip.
During the intermission, the thought of facing more losses without Tkachuk was unsettling.
Tkachuk has instilled a “Game 7” mentality within the team, emphasizing playing through pain.
Fortunately for the Senators and Tkachuk, he persevered. He returned in the second period and quickly scored a goal, shifting the game`s momentum in Ottawa`s favor.
This isn`t an isolated incident. Tkachuk has consistently played like a “Game 7” hero throughout the regular season. Back in November, when Ottawa first slipped below .500, Tkachuk secured an overtime win against Boston. A month later, he repeated this feat against Pittsburgh, helping Ottawa regain a playoff spot. And in March, during their most critical game against the New York Rangers, Tkachuk`s impact was once again decisive.
Let`s also remember his goal in the Four Nations final, further cementing his reputation for rising to the occasion.
