`We’ll be back.`
These were the confident words spoken by Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk as he left the ice after their Game 4 victory against the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs.
He delivered on that promise on Tuesday, with a crucial performance in a dominant 4-0 win against the Leafs, forcing the series back to Ottawa for Game 6.
Tkachuk was instrumental in the victory. He helped set up the opening goal by winning a faceoff to Thomas Chabot and screening goaltender Anthony Stolarz. He later sealed the win with two empty-net points, including a goal for himself.
Any lingering doubts about Tkachuk`s ability to perform in high-pressure playoff situations have vanished; he now boasts six points through the first five games. The Senators` key players are stepping up, contrasting with Toronto`s stars, who are often perceived to struggle under playoff pressure.
They say pressure is a privilege, but after watching the Senators claw back from a 3-0 series deficit to 3-2, it`s debatable whether the Leafs and their fanbase currently see it that way.
When asked by Sportsnet`s Kyle Bukauskas post-game if the Senators had instilled doubt in the Leafs, Tkachuk confidently responded, `I think so.`
