After a 5-2 loss to Edmonton, the Senators are now riding a season-high three-game losing slide.
The Ottawa Senators hit the practice ice on Wednesday, looking to recapture the elite form they've shown at various points in the young season. Unfortunately, they've only been able to conjure that up for about half of their games so far, scuffling along with an 8-9-1 record.
Very notable by his absence was team captain Brady Tkachuk, who was not a happy camper on Tuesday after the club's 5-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, the club's third straight loss.
"We know that we're a good team," Tkachuk told the media. "It's just a matter of doing it day in and day out and just no more bullsh*t excuses."
With Tkachuk absent from the day-after practice, the Sens rolled out their lines like this, with Noah Gregor – still in a non-contact jersey – sliding into the captain's spot:
We'll update here shortly once head coach Travis Green "shares" what's going on with Tkachuk.
*** 1:20pm update: GM Steve Staios calls Tkachuk's absence a maintenance day.
Staios also held meeting with the media after practice, just a general state of the union address at the quarter point of the season.