Tkachuk family allegiances are split again Monday night as the Ottawa Senators host the Florida Panthers at Canadian Tire Centre.

He's a few days late for Thanksgiving, but Brady Tkachuk is always thankful for a visit from family. 

The Tkachuks are all here for the Ottawa Senators-Florida Panthers game on Monday night at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. After catching up over a weekend family dinner, Brady and Matthew will switch to business mode, turning their attention to two crucial Atlantic Division points that are up for grabs on Monday night.

Going back to their competitive childhood, the Tkachuks have always had a sibling rivalry; when you're little, you always want your brother has and, usually, you grow out of it. But make no mistake, there's a big part of Brady that, once again, wants something his brother has. 

Matthew and the Florida Panthers won the 2023 NHL Eastern Conference title last spring and Brady wants a long run like that here in Ottawa.

"My motivation coming into this year is seeing what (Matthew) did and what he provided to the city of Fort Lauderdale and that whole region of Florida," Brady told The Hockey News Ottawa. "It's something I want to do (in Ottawa). And that's kind of consumed me throughout the whole summer. And even to this point, that's the number one goal. That's the only goal."

That's a goal that will take time. As is often said, Cups are never won in October and November, but they can sometimes be lost then. At 8-8, the Senators have run hot and cold, just like last season. They have only three more points than they did at the 16-game mark last year.

The Panthers are in second place in the Atlantic with a 12-7-1 mark. If the Sens make the playoffs, it will be at the expense of at least one excellent Atlantic team. It might as well be Florida.

"Everyone knows that we're divisional rivals now, so these points are crucial," Brady said. "But of course, when there's an opportunity to see each other during the season, you always take advantage of it.

Scoring-wise, the Sens captain has the edge on his brother. Brady has 10 goals and 15 points in 16 games while Matthew has 3 goals and 17 points in 20 games.

Asked what the Senators need to do that they didn't do on Friday in a 5-3 loss to the Islanders, Brady said they need to keep things simple.

"I think just play to our identity a little bit and play to our game plan," Brady said. "I think we strayed away from it (on Friday night). And, of course, the result followed because you didn't stick with it. So I think it's two teams that need this win and for us to finish off November on a high note and continue on for a busy December."

It's pretty clear Brady has had enough of his team taking a backseat to his brother's.

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