1 week Ago By Jack Sutherland, House of Hockey
Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk is excited to play in his very 1st Stanley Cup Playoffs series, and he's speaking out before they begin later this month. It's been a long time coming, but Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk will finally get his very 1st experience playing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this spring. After years of watching his brother Matthew Tkachuk compete in the postseason with the Calgary Flames and now the Florida Panthers, including consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final and a title last spring, it's Brady's turn to show what he can do.
Right now, he continues to nurse an upper-body injury he suffered against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 30; he has missed Ottawa's last 5 games. And while he's mentally already in the postseason, he wants to make sure that his body is physically prepared for the challenge ahead. The Senators have not played a postseason game since their heartbreaking 2OT loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 7 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Final.
And while there were plenty of growing pains and roster turnover since then, Tkachuk believes everything happens for a reason. Tkachuk, who was also a physical force for the United States during the 4 Nations Faceoff in February, has 55 points (29G, 26A) and 123 PIM in 71 games. Ottawa's opponent and final place in the standings has yet to be determined, but their spot in the postseason is assured.
This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission..
