The Ottawa Senators remain in a tight playoff race as the season moves into its final stretch with just 10 games left. Their recent results have placed them just one point short of the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot, putting pressure on them with every game.
The group has dealt with injuries and roster changes while trying to stay in position, and Brady Tkachuk has stayed a key voice as the team works through this phase.
Brady Tkachuk Discusses the Ottawa Senators’ Playoff Push Amid Injuries
Tkachuk shared his view on the team’s recent stretch during an appearance on “Wingmen,” giving insight into how the Senators are handling a difficult run. The Senators hold a 38-24-10 record and remain close in the wild-card race, even after a 4-3 shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The team showed strong effort in that game, with Drake Batherson scoring twice and Tim Stützle adding two assists, while Linus Ullmark made key saves to extend the game. This shows how they are making a push for the playoffs.
Tkachuk pointed to the impact of a long road trip in early March and the physical demand that came with it, while also noting how players have stepped up despite several injuries.
He said, “I know for our team, we played at home, but then we were back on the road for, I think it was close to two weeks, out West in Western Canada. It was non-stop. Just the energy was zapped. I’m more proud of just the way guys are stepping up right now. We have a ton of injuries right now and a ton of key guys.”
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He also highlighted the role of younger players who entered high-pressure situations and handled them well. The Senators recently called up Carter Yakemchuk and Jorian Donovan, and both were placed into games with playoff impact.
Tkachuk described their approach, saying, “It’s not a regular first game. It’s almost like a first playoff game, with what’s at stake and how big this game was.”
The Senators’ overall season shows a slight drop from last year, but the offense continues to produce at 3.36 goals per game. Stützle leads with 75 points, while Batherson and Dylan Cozens have supported the attack.
The Senators now prepare for a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 28, which carries direct playoff importance. The team will look for a better defensive effort and strong goaltending from Ullmark to respond after the recent loss.
