The Ottawa Senators were accused of being sore losers after a fiery preseason loss to the Montreal Canadiens in Quebec City. Montreal cruised to a 5-0 victory, but the score was overshadowed by fights, misconduct penalties, and more than 150 total penalty minutes.
The incident has put Brady Tkachuk’s Senators under scrutiny just a week before the regular season is set to begin.
Did Brady Tkachuk’s Senators Cross the Line in Heated Canadiens Clash?
The game turned ugly early, with Ottawa’s frustration boiling over after conceding multiple power-play goals. The Canadiens’ pair of brothers, Arber and Florian Xhekaj, were central to the chaos, each fighting twice, including a sequence in the third period where they both dropped the gloves on the same shift.
Ottawa forwards Jan Jenik and Zack MacEwen were among those who engaged in the brawls, while Carter Yakemchuk also tangled with Florian Xhekaj.
Sportsnet’s Eric Engels described the Senators’ play as “cheap shots all over the ice,” noting that the rivalry will only intensify moving forward.
Cheap shots all over the ice from an embarassed Sens side…
Not exactly going to tame games between these teams moving forward.
Still one more to play Saturday before we get to games that matter.— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) October 1, 2025
Allegedly, Ottawa players targeted Canadiens rookie Ivan Demidov, who left the game after a slash from Nick Cousins. The Canadiens capitalized on the penalties, scoring three power-play goals to secure the win.
Brady Tkachuk did not play, but as captain, his name is closely tied to the performance and discipline of the team. His absence was noticeable, and while coach Travis Green rested him along with Claude Giroux and Tim Stützle, the Senators’ lineup failed to keep composure without their leaders.
What the Game Means for the Senators and Habs
The optics were not favorable for the Senators. This preseason trip to Quebec was meant to build goodwill with local fans, particularly during Thomas Chabot’s homecoming. Instead, fans chanted for Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher, who had three assists, while Ottawa’s players spent most of the night in the penalty box.
Coach Travis Green admitted afterward that the night provided little value in terms of roster evaluation. Instead of assessing bubble players, the team was killing penalties.
Defenseman Donovan Sebrango, fighting for a roster spot, earned a major penalty after blindsiding Kirby Dach. That incident, like others, left the impression that Ottawa lacked control.
MORE: Senators GM Makes Feelings Clear On Brady Tkachuk’s Future In Ottawa
Tkachuk himself addressed the importance of building toward the regular season, saying every game is a chance to prepare. Still, Ottawa cannot afford to repeat the pattern of emotional outbursts when things spiral.
Reportedly, discipline has been a recurring issue in recent preseason meetings with Montreal, something critics argue reflects poorly on the Senators’ leadership group.
Conversely, Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said the game had value for his team, praising their ability to stick together while also playing disciplined hockey. Florian Xhekaj, in particular, made a case for a roster spot, showing both toughness and willingness to engage in chaotic moments.
The Canadiens left with positives: five goals, a strong power play, and clear chemistry. Brady Tkachuk’s Senators, meanwhile, were left with bruises, penalties, and questions about whether they can handle adversity without losing focus.
