Captain Brady Tkachuk comes up clutch yet again for surging Senators
Brady Tkachuk is leading the way for a Senators team showing all kinds of positive signs. The captain played the role of hero again Saturday in a huge overtime win over the Rangers.
admin
OTTAWA — ‘Pesky Sens’ was the nickname given to Ottawa’s last generation of playoff teams due to their habit of rallying from deficits.
Maybe it’s time to bring that slogan back.
Linus Ullmark sure thinks so after Ottawa’s thrilling 4-3 overtime win Saturday over the New York Rangers, a game with immense playoff implications.
“Pesky Sens strikes again,” said Ullmark post-game.
The peskiest of Senators and the biggest reason why Ottawa has come back to earn a point in its last four games has been Brady Tkachuk or ‘Tkaptain Tklutch’ (Marie Philip-Poulin says hi). He scored twice Saturday, including the overtime winner. Tkachuk not only dragged his team back on his broad shoulders for an enormous win on Saturday, he’s scored the important and clutch goals in the last four games.
On the first shift of the game, Tkachuk slashed J.T. Miller to send a message to his recent Team USA teammate. But Ullmark allowed an awful, albeit questionable goalm to Carson Soucy in the first period, and when Mika Zibanejad scored in the second period, Ottawa looked all but out.
However, Tkachuk scored 11 (Daniel Alfredsson’s jersey number) seconds later. Prophetic. Tkachuk mirrored the Senators’ former captain with a beautiful deflection to get Ottawa back in the game 2-1. Alfredsson, now an assistant coach for the team, likely was smiling on the bench watching the current captain perform. It was Tkachuk’s fourth goal in four games since returning from the 4 Nations Fae-Off.
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369785666112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369785666112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369785666112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-705591" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6369785666112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/6369785666112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/nhl-highlights-senators-4-rangers-3-ot/" }); });
Tkachuk also scored the first goal of the game against Chicago on Wednesday in the team’s last game.
Ottawa continued to dominate play after Tkachuk’s goal Saturday, but New York had its chances. Artemi Panarin was robbed by Ullmark in the second period to keep the game within striking distance. Ullmark has bent but not broken in the recent comebacks, allowing two quick goals on less than five shots against Washington and Chicago but then rebounding to keep Ottawa in the game. He did that again on Saturday.
“You got some timely saves, and we shut it down in the end there; we did a good job of not getting frustrated,” said Ullmark of recent comebacks.
“It’s not optimal, in a way. It’s a strength for sure, knowing that you’re never out of the game. We showed that in Washington, and we show that here tonight, and that’s also one of the reasons why I’m so proud of the guys … They showed that unflappable mindset of just keep going.”
Panarin finally beat Ullmark on a breakaway goal to push the lead to 3-1 even though Ottawa had been carrying the play. The Sens seemed destined for an tough loss to the Rangers, who were tied in points with Ottawa ahead of the game with both teams fighting for a wild-card spot.
But that’s when newcomer Dylan Cozens made an impact.
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369789184112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369789184112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369789184112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-113031" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6369789184112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/6369789184112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/couldnt-draw-it-up-better-senators-dylan-cozens-on-win-vs-rangers/" }); });
General manager Steve Staios acquired Cozens for his physicality Friday, and he got it from the former Buffalo Sabre in his debut. Cozens affected the game by following in his captain’s footsteps, throwing his body around for a career-high nine hits. Tkachuk spoke about how he welcomed Cozens to the team, despite the loss of his dear friend Josh Norris 24 hours earlier.
After all the wildness and mayhem of deadline day, Cozens and Dennis Gilbert were skating in a pivotal game less than 24 hours after becoming Senators.
“Today was as tough as a situation: at 12:30 (Saturday) you’re just (saying) hello,” Tkachuk said jokingly about his first interaction with Cozens and Gilbert.
“I’ll be able to spend some time tonight and probably watch some hockey and do some things together with the couple of us and then get to know them and making them feel welcome.”
As a power play expired, Cozens began the zone entry by bringing the puck into the Rangers end and then threw himself to the net to jam at the puck off a point shot after reconfiguring to the bumper position. That led to Ridly Greig finishing off the rebound to cut the lead to 3-2.
“I just saw it sitting there, in (front of) my eyes,” said Cozens. “I just couldn’t believe it sitting there. And then I somehow managed to miss it. But I’m glad Ridly was there to follow it up and tap it home.”
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369786750112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369786750112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369786750112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-834479" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6369786750112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/6369786750112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/cozens-picks-up-first-point-in-first-game-as-a-senator-on-greig-goal/" }); });
In Cozens’ first game on a line with David Perron and Drake Batherson, he showed the five-on-five potential Staios was looking for. Cozens now has 12 primary assists this season at five-on-five, while Norris has 13 primary assists at five-on-five in his entire career. What a wild but telling stat.
In this game at five-on-five, Ottawa had nine shot attempts to five for New York. Cozens also helped out on the penalty kill by winning pucks. His ability to drive play and facilitate was noticeable.
The Senators have had three third-period comebacks in their last four games after beginning the season 1-20-0 when heading into the final period behind.
In his first game back from injury against San Jose, Tkachuk scored early on a power play to tie the game, which Ottawa would eventually win 5-3. He celebrated by tapping the Senators crest.
Two days later, after Ottawa made a huge comeback from down 3-0 against Washington, only to fall behind 4-3, Tkachuk tied it with a nifty rebound goal to earn the Senators a valuable point against an elite team.
“It’s confidence,” said Tkachuk about his team’s ability to come back in games. “Once you do it once, you know you can do it again. And I think that Washington game really gave us a lot of confidence against a top-five team in the NHL, down 3-0 that we just clawed our way back. And I think just the mindset, to block out that frustration.”
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369791038112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369791038112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369791038112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-830047" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6369791038112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/6369791038112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/senators-brady-tkachuk-on-tough-situation-after-the-trade-deadline/" }); });
It starts with your leader. With Tkachuk motivating from the bench, Michael Amadio batted home a goal off a loose puck in a similar fashion to Tkachuk’s tying goal against Washington to tie the game against the Rangers 3-3 with 2:52 left in the game.
Then it was the captain’s turn. In Tkachuk’s 500th career game, he finished it off in the ideal fashion, receiving a pass from none other than Tim Stutzle to rip home a whopper of a shot to seal the victory for Ottawa. The dramatic goal came months after unsubstantiated rumours that he might be traded to New York.
It was all love Saturday with the fans going wild as Tkachuk did his post-game, on-ice interview.
“It’s all cause of you guys, let’s go, here we go,” said Tkachuk, with a wide smile.
Adams apples
• Tim Stutzle’s assist on Tkachuk’s overtime winner pushed his point streak to 14 games, which is the third longest streak in Senators’ franchise history. It all began when Stutzle got a haircut before playing Toronto on Jan. 25. He pulls off the trim better than you or I.
• Ullmark was not happy about the goal he allowed to Soucy where the puck crossed the line after the referee’s whistle had been blown. However, in the NHL rule book 37.3 (i), it says a goal can count when the “puck (is) entering the net as the culmination of a continuous play where the result of the play was unaffected by any whistle blown by the Referee upon his losing sight of the puck.”
The referees deemed that the puck was heading into the net continuously despite blowing the whistle before it went in. Ullmark was not happy.
“So I learned a new rule today,” said Ullmark.
“Would I like to see a rule change on that matter? Yeah, it’s a reason for discussion, especially when there’s a whistle blown, me and both defenceman stops playing, but if the puck is still moving, they’re gonna’ call a goal. So, you’re not allowing the defenceman and the goalie to react to it and then maybe act upon it. So, I was surprised, and I had a good conversation with the refs.”
