Losing your captain who produces offense is a tough challenge three games into a hockey season. The Ottawa Senators had that happen when Brady Tkachuk suffered an injury in the third game of the season.
Tkachuk had surgery and won't be in the lineup for 6-8 weeks. With no Tkachuk, head coach Travis Green has needed to try new lines to see which players can play on the first line.
Prior to the Senators' game last night against the Washington Capitals, Green shook up the first line in what some may have found confusing, but it worked out well in the end.
Cousins goes on first line, scores goal to produce offense
Green inserted Nick Cousins on the first line alongside Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson. In the end, the line switch worked out with the Senators winning 7-1, and Cousins' impact was clear.
Cousins scored a breakaway goal to make it 4-0. Cousins also finished the game with getting over 14 minutes of ice time, +1 rating and two hits. Cousins found himself at the right place at the right time with Stutzle giving him a long pass to set up the breakaway goal.
Feeling like a family reunion with all these Cozens/Cousins goals 🤯#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/GaPqdEoQR7
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 26, 2025
"He's a smart hockey player, he's kind of found his game recently," Green said about Cousins following the win. "And we were, you know, you're looking for combinations that you might hope work, and I thought he played another strong game tonight."
Throughout his career, Cousins hasn't been known as a top offensive player. Cousins has been more of a grinder, hard checker who can play on the fourth line and penalty kill. However, Cousins now showed he can play on the first line if needed.
Cousins entered last night's game cold offensively with recording just one assist with a -1 rating in eight game played. Now, Cousins' goal can help give him an extra boost of energy in the Senators lineup.
"I really enjoy playing with those two," Cousins said after the game about playing on the same line with Stutzle and Batherson.
While it is still early into the season, a six-goal win against the Capitals with Cousins on the first line with Stutzle and Batherson can be something that Green may want to stick with moving forward. Tomorrow night's game against the Boston Bruins will offer as another chance for Cousins and the Senators to keep their momentum going at home.