The Ottawa Senators are starting to build momentum at a crucial point in the season. Their gritty 2-1 win over the New York Rangers on Monday has pulled them within 2 points of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
However, the game wasn’t without controversy. During the matchup, Rangers forward J.T. Miller delivered a cross-check to the wrist of Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot, sparking debate over Ottawa’s response.
How the Senators’ Lack of Response Contradicts Brady Tkachuk’s Past Comments
Late in the first period at Madison Square Garden, J.T. Miller caught Thomas Chabot with a heavy cross-check to the forearm. The reaction was instant.
Chabot dropped his stick, grabbed his arm in clear pain, and skated off. He didn’t return. He was later seen in a sling or cast, pointing to a potentially serious injury that could sideline him long-term.
What stood out even more, though, was Ottawa’s response, or lack of one.
Despite losing a key piece on the blue line, the Senators, led by captain Brady Tkachuk, didn’t push back or go after Miller, who stayed in the game without facing any real consequences.
That reaction stood in contrast to Tkachuk’s own past comments. Speaking on the “Wingmen” podcast, he had previously emphasized the importance of sticking up for teammates in moments like these.
“If your captain gets taken out like that, you’ve got to have a way better response, personally. I know I’d feel if I got hit like that and nobody really jumped in there. I’d be pretty pissed. It’s unfortunate. If you go after our best players, we’re going after you best player,” Brady said.
On Monday, that response never came.
Ottawa’s situation became even more difficult when defenseman Lassi Thomson exited in the second period with a lower-body injury, leaving the team with just four defensemen for the rest of the game.
Even so, the Senators managed to lock things down defensively, limiting the Rangers to just 9 shots on goal, tying a franchise-low mark dating back to 1955.
Goals from Shane Pinto and Warren Foegele provided the offense, while goaltender James Reimer made 8 saves. For New York, Conor Sheary scored the lone goal, and Igor Shesterkin turned aside 31 shots.
After the game, head coach Travis Green praised the team’s effort.
“Just a great team effort tonight,” Green said. “Obviously, with two defensemen going down, guys have to step up, play a lot more minutes than they’re used to. The forwards were helping them out. It was just a real good team win.”
The Ottawa Senators now shift focus to a huge clash with the Detroit Red Wings, who are just 1 point ahead in the wild-card race. It’s a pivotal game, and Ottawa will be severely short-handed on the blue line, with Thomas Chabot and Lassi Thomson now out, joining Jake Sanderson, Dennis Gilbert, and Nick Jensen on the sidelines.
Typical Brady Tkachuk, yapping a big game and then disappearing when its time to act. I’m sure he realizes that his American team mate Miller would have ragged him around if he “stepped” up. Him and his brother are peas in a pod, if the opponent is over 6′ and 200lbs, they skate the other way yapping to their bench, lookig for an official to grab on to them for protection. At least Hagel called Matthew’s bluff and it cost him a year of playing time and probably a playoff berth.