Ottawa—The taste of victory in March, once unfamiliar to Ottawa Senators fans, has returned.
The primary driving force behind their current winning streak is captain Brady Tkachuk.
“He embodies everything you could desire in a young captain,” coach Travis Green commented after the game in New Jersey.
It was anticipated that Tkachuk, given his family background, would assert himself in crucial games. This is now materializing as Tkachuk propels his team towards playoff contention.
“I am confident in a strong response on Saturday,” Tkachuk stated following two consecutive losses.
He was correct.
On Saturday evening, Tkachuk spearheaded the effort, scoring the opening goal to lift his team from their brief slump and secure a vital 3-2 victory over New Jersey.
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This season, the Senators` hopes may hinge on the condition of one player`s hip. Earlier in the week, Tkachuk affirmed he was at full strength. However, he has been managing a hip issue that was aggravated at the Four Nations Faceoff, causing him to miss games afterward.
In the first period, concern arose when Tkachuk struggled to reach the bench, seemingly having re-injured his hip.
It was uncertain if Tkachuk would return. The prospect of mounting losses without Tkachuk was palpable during the intermission, painting a grim picture.
Tkachuk has advocated for a “Game 7” mentality for his team, emphasizing playing through discomfort.
Fortunately for the Senators and Tkachuk, he persevered. He returned in the second period and promptly scored a goal that shifted the game`s momentum in Ottawa’s favor.
This isn`t an isolated incident.
Tkachuk has consistently performed as a “Game 7” hero throughout the regular season. When Ottawa dipped below .500 in November, Tkachuk secured an overtime victory in Boston. A month later, Ottawa re-entered playoff contention when Tkachuk again scored in overtime against Pittsburgh. Lastly, in what was Ottawa’s most critical game of the season against the New York Rangers in March, Tkachuk`s impact was decisive once more.
And we should not forget Tkachuk`s goal in the Four Nations final.
