Tkachuk silenced his critics with a fierce game-opening fight versus Anders Lee.
(Mar 19, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Ridly Greig (71) fights with New York Islanders center Brayden Schenn (10) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre).
Following Wednesday's loss in Washington, Ottawa sports talk radio and social media were suddenly filled on Thursday with discussions about the absence of Brady Tkachuk's usual robust, physical, and intimidating style.
It was strange to read and hear the negativity because the Senators have been pretty successful as a team lately, rolling along at 11-3-2 since the end of January, and their captain has 9 points in his last 11 games.
But the way that Tkachuk came out against the Islanders on Thursday, you'd swear he heard some of the talk throughout the day and said, "Oh yeah? Watch this."
Tkachuk, normally a left winger, lined up on the right side across from Anders Lee for the opening face-off and immediately got into a spirited dustup with the Islanders veteran.
Just after Tkachuk got out of the box, Ridly Greig got into an even better fight with Brayden Schenn, with Tkachuk nearby roaring his approval.
After that, Tkachuk continued to look like a man playing inspired and angry, the version of their captain that fans like best.
We'll see after the game if Tkachuk and Lee had an old score to settle, or if the criticism on Thursday sparked any of this. But if that's what Tkachuk has up his sleeve for the final 15 games, that's certainly going to silence all critics, and it couldn't come at a better time for the Senators.
Steve Warne
The Hockey News
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