Since the 4 Nations Face-Off started, one player who made his presence known quickly is Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk for the United States.
In the United States' first game, Tkachuk scored two goals, including the United States' first goal of the tournament. In the second game, Thachuk fired up the crowd with a fight against Sam Bennett three seconds into the United States' game against Canada.
The third game had arrived for the United States tonight against Sweden. The game in hindsight meant nothing as the United States already clinched a spot in the championship game on Thursday night, and Sweden couldn't make the championship game after Canada beat Finland 5-3 earlier in the day. However, concern around the Senators captain arrived.
Tkachuk leaves game Sweden in United States' 2-1 loss to Sweden
Tkachuk came out of game with his physicality by delivering hits, but his time would be cut short. Tkachuk left the game after crashing the net hard into Sweden goaltender Samuel Ersson.
Brady Tkachuk has went to the USA locker room after crashing into the net pic.twitter.com/gR8IqmJvrU
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 18, 2025
Tkachuk headed down the tunnel, but then eventually came back on the United States' bench. After returning to the bench, Tkachuk played one 14-second shift, then was done for the game. Tkachuk managed to have three shots on goal, three hits and one blocked shot in 1:55 of ice time before not being able to play anymore. Sweden went on to defeat the United States 2-1 with Tkachuk having to not return to the game.
With Tkachuk now injured, this puts a serious concern on not only the United States' chances to win the championship game, but on the Senators season as well. With where the Senators are at, they can't afford to lose their captain.
The Senators are the first Wild Card seed in the Eastern Conference with 62 points, but the standings are extremely tight. The Senators' first game back after the 4 Nations Face-Off is on Saturday night at 7 p.m. ET when they host the Montreal Canadiens. If the Senators are going to gain ground on teams, the team needs their captain healthy.
The United States are in the championship game on Thursday night against Canada at 8 p.m. ET at TD Garden. However, concern around Tkachuk's status will be a major thing to keep an eye on as the championship game gets closer.