Ottawa Senators fans are holding their breath after captain Brady Tkachuk left Monday's game against the Nashville Predators with an injury. The incident occurred during the Senators' 4-1 defeat at home, casting a shadow over the Thanksgiving Day matchup.
Tkachuk's injury appears to have stemmed from a cross-check delivered by Predators captain Roman Josi early in the first period. The Senators' captain went awkwardly into the boards following the hit and was seen favouring his right hand as he skated off the ice. Although Tkachuk initially continued to play, he didn't appear entirely comfortable and ultimately missed the final nine minutes of the third period. He logged 13:53 of ice time, recording two shots and six hits.
Senators coach Travis Green addressed the situation after the game, stating that Tkachuk is currently being evaluated. Green refrained from calling Tkachuk's removal from the game precautionary, confirming that it was a direct result of the collision in the first period. Asked for an update, Green said, "Obviously he didn't finish the game down the stretch, he tried to. I don't really have an update. He's being re-evaluated right now".
The severity of Tkachuk's injury remains unknown, but his absence would be a significant blow to the Senators. The team is already without forward Drake Batherson, making Tkachuk's potential absence even more concerning. Tkachuk's importance to the team is undeniable; last season, he recorded 29 goals and 55 points in 72 games, also amassing 123 penalty minutes. In four games this season, he has three assists.
The play in question resulted in a two-minute minor penalty for Josi, though some felt a major penalty was warranted given the force and positioning of the cross-check. Tkachuk's immediate reaction after the hit showed his displeasure with Josi.
Tkachuk's injury adds to the questions surrounding the Senators, who were looking to improve their penalty kill after giving up five power-play goals in their first two games. The team's next game is against the Buffalo Sabres on October 15th, and the Senators will be hoping for a quick recovery for their captain.
The Senators and their fans anxiously await updates on Tkachuk's condition, hoping their captain will be back on the ice soon. In the meantime, veterans like David Perron and Claude Giroux may need to step up to fill the potential void.
