Tkachuk Brothers Are Made For the Stanley Cup Playoffs

Compared to the regular season, the NHL playoffs are almost a different sport. But Matthew Tkachuk's game transitions perfectly to the grind of the post-season, and once Brady gets there, his will too.

This column was going to come as a major shock. A real hot take. Following his King Clancy Trophy nomination this week, it was going to be filled with gushing talk of Brady Tkachuk’s “intangibles” and what he brings to this team on and off the ice. I know, real groundbreaking stuff. Then it seemed a better option to tackle a topic that had yet to be spoken of by anyone: potential. Oh, yes. In the past five years, why hasn’t anyone, anywhere, thought to speak of the Ottawa Senators' potential?

In all seriousness, Senators fans have heard about potential for so long they’re dying to see something actually happen. This year was a good step, but we’ve seen many good steps end up in the same place. However, maybe there's reason for real hope this time.

There’s always endless pleasure for Senator fans in watching the Toronto Maple Leafs attempt a Stanley Cup playoff run. This season, it may be worthwhile for the Sens faithful to watch the difficulty the Leafs (and the Bruins) have had with Matthew Tkachuk. Yes, I recognize that Brady and Matthew are different players, just look at their first names. Matthew clearly has more offensive jam, while Brady probably has more physical jam. All this to say, the Tkachuk residence is a jam factory and big Walt is a… wait, what do you call someone who makes jam?

Clumsy metaphors aside, the Tkachuk will to win is flowing from their pores and that's been playoff torture for the Bruins and Leafs.

Watching the Bruins lose in overtime in games 5 and 7, it was stupefying to see how Matthew Tkachuk was left to bother Bruin goalies, to tip pucks, to generally be a Tkachuk in the blue paint. And watching that makes one think. Who else is capable of doing this? Who relishes that dirty, painful position directly in front of a goalie? Who else scores so many of his goals either in or just outside the crease? If this is what works in the playoffs, then the Senators and their fans DO have reason to hope.

Again, I recognize Matthew and Brady are different, but they're both perfectly suited for the playoffs. We just need to see it now. We just need to see Brady get there and have a chance to shine the way Matthew currently is.

There may also be a good reason for Senators fans to cheer for the Florida Panthers right now, beyond the fact they’re playing Ottawa’s biggest rival. How about sibling rivalry? I’m not sure about anybody else, but if my brother had anything, I wanted it. It didn’t even matter if I liked what it was, I just needed to have it. If Brady can tap into that and outshine his brother (the way I’ve sworn a blood oath to outshine mine), then there’s reason to get excited.

First you have potential, then you accomplish something, then you make history.