The debate surrounding Brady Tkachuk’s leadership style has a massive talking point as the Ottawa Senators return home trailing 2-0 in their series against the Carolina Hurricanes. While nobody questions the captain’s passion, his recent “antics” have started a tougher conversation: is his style of play helping or hurting the Senators right now?
Is Tkachuk’s play leadership or a liability?
The tone was set just seconds into the series when Tkachuk dropped the gloves with Jordan Staal right off the opening faceoff. While the home crowd in Raleigh may have quieted down after Tkachuk won the bout, the move didn’t really pay off. He spent the first seven minutes in the penalty box because of the fight and the lack of stoppages. For a team that relies on their emotion leader, he hasn’t done a good enough job keeping his emotions in line.
If Game 1 was about building momentum, Game 2 had to be about discipline. In a scoreless, high-stakes first period, Tkachuk took what many are calling a “silly” penalty. An unnecessary roughing minor that gave the Hurricanes an early power play. Carolina made it count, with Logan Stankoven scoring to give them the early lead. In a game that ended up going to double overtime, that moment stands out.
As the series shifts to the Canadian Tire Centre, the focus is on how Tkachuk responds. Playing at home usually brings out more emotion, and the Senators need the version of him that lives around the crease and makes life miserable for defenders. Not the one heading to the penalty box trying to chase a viral moment on social media. Or attempting to recreate his brother's rivalry with Sebastian Aho.
Down 0-2, they can’t afford to lose their captain for long stretches, but they also can’t have him disengaged either. He needs to learn how to walk that line and play smart while doing it. If Ottawa is going to get back in this series, Tkachuk has to find that balance between being “Pesky” and being disciplined. If it keeps trending the other way, this playoff run is all but dead in the water.
And, no, this isn’t to say that Tkachuk hasn’t been good at times in this series. But it doesn’t help his team. If he can walk that line, he is one of the best power forwards in the game, which will go a long way in digging them out of this 0-2 series deficit.
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