The Edmonton Oilers snatched a win over the Ottawa Senators on home ice on Tuesday to give themselves some breathing room in the standings. The overtime win for the Oilers came after a tense battle that kept the audience at Rogers Place on the edge of their seats.
Part of the Senators’ downfall on the night was of their own doing. Brady Tkachuk’s questionable decision to take Connor McDavid to the ground put the Sens between a rock and a hard place, eventually condemning Ottawa to defeat. Tkachuk’s move has led many to hold him accountable on social media.
Brady Tkachuk’s OT Penalty Attracts Sharp Criticism
While the Senators began the 2025-26 season on a high note despite Tkachuk’s prolonged absence, the team has since struggled to maintain its momentum. The Senators needed an unblemished March to keep their playoff odds alive. However, their first game of the month began with a devastating loss, leaving the team lodged in the lower rungs of the Atlantic Division.
Right before the NHL went into the Olympic break, the Oilers were handed two difficult defeats, and their post-Olympic break performance has also been far from exemplary. The game against the Senators was critical for Edmonton, and Leon Draisaitl delivered. The center put the Oilers on his back with two goals and three assists. But despite his overarching efforts, the showdown was far from an easy win for the blue and orange squad.
As the game stretched into overtime, tension hung heavy at Rogers Place. Fortunately for the Oilers and unfortunately for the Sens, captain Tkachuk’s decision to tackle McDavid cost Ottawa a good chance at turning the day in their favor.
Every time Tkachuk’s stick touched the puck on Tuesday, the boos were relentless. Things took a turn for the worse during overtime. His hasty reaction prompted social media commentators to weigh in on the situation.
“Tkachuk hard to find except for the over-zealous OT penalty. 1 shot and 1 hit all night. Needs to, HAS TO, be a bigger part of these games,” TSN1200’s John Rodenburg posted on social media, arguing that the captain ought to play a more significant role in games against high-value opposition.
“Tkachuk with a brutal penalty in overtime and that’ll do it. Pissing away more points,” Everyday Senators shared on X, making the community’s dissatisfaction at how things had unfolded.
“Not a good look for Brady here. The Oilers scored on the AN. Despite a 1-0-2 record since the return from the Olympics, the Sens still trail by 6 points for a playoff spot. The same gap as before the break. It’s looking tough…” Max Jolicouer wrote on his X handle.
Jolicouer highlighted the very real concern surrounding playoff odds that the Sens are grappling with at the moment.
“Can’t take that penalty. You knew they were good to score,” Sportsnet broadcaster Jason York stated, emphasizing how costly the penalty was for the Senators.
The Boston Bruins currently have the final Wild Card spot in the division, and they only strengthened their odds by snatching a win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Senators are bound to face tough competition from division rivals and will need to recalibrate their efforts accordingly. At this point, every game is precious for the Sens.
