The Tkachuk brothers have seen better days. Matthew Tkachuk will likely shut the drapes on his campaign with the end of the regular season, but Brady Tkachuk and the Ottawa Senators are fighting tooth and nail to clinch a wildcard spot in the playoffs.
However, the Senators’ campaign in the Sunshine State has dealt a massive blow to Ottawa’s postseason hopes and invited criticism from retired NHL star Keith Tkachuk.
Keith Tkachuk Shares Blunt Critique of the Ottawa Senators’ Performance Vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
The Senators were handed an embarrassing home defeat by the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 26, before hitting the road again to face the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers. Ottawa, however, faced losses on both occasions, extending their losing streak to three games. At a time when every game is crucial for the Senators to get back in contention for the postseason, such mistakes have proved all too costly.
On the subject of the Senators’ loss at the hands of the Lightning, Keith Tkachuk was unsparing in his criticism of Ottawa’s performance. Appearing on the “Wingmen” podcast, the former NHL star forward pointed out how the Senators ran out of gas as the game progressed.
“Brady, you guys had a great first period against Tampa. Then you guys just fell off a cliff.”
Keith Tkachuk further admitted that it was almost ’embarrassing’ how the Senators gradually lost their rhythm throughout the game. “It’s embarrassing to talk to the sports science department about that. How can you guys get that? How can you guys be so good in the first?”
The Senators undoubtedly made a strong start against Tampa. Dylan Cozens and Jordan Spence scored five minutes into the first period. However, the rest of the game belonged to the Lightning, who utterly dominated Ottawa, scoring four goals in a row and clinching the victory on home ice.
Spence, who is on a three-game point streak, admitted that the Senators lost their focus as the game progressed. “First period, we played really well and really hemmed them in their zone. Second and third period, we lost focus and didn’t play to our identity. That was a tough loss.”
To add insult to injury, Keith Tkachuk reminded Brady that the Lightning were already compromised, playing without Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman. “You got to give them credit. They push hard. But they are missing Kucherov, Hedman.”
On the other hand, the Senators could also be said to have been significantly affected by the absence of defenseman Jake Sanderson, who last played with the team on March 7, but was spotted at a practice skate on March 30 wearing a no-contact jersey.
