Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk has delivered a clear message to his team: the time for moral victories is over. Following a crucial 8-4 road win against the New York Rangers on Wednesday, Tkachuk emphasized that every remaining game is a must-win for the club's fading playoff hopes.
A Milestone Night at Madison Square Garden
The victory at Madison Square Garden on January 15, 2024, was highlighted by a significant personal achievement for the captain. Tkachuk's four-point performance included his 200th career NHL goal, making him only the fourth player in franchise history to reach that mark. He joins an elite group of former Senators captains: Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza, and Alexei Yashin.
This milestone night capped a successful back-to-back set for Ottawa, which began with a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks at the Canadian Tire Centre on Tuesday. The two wins provide a vital spark for a team that entered Thursday's action sitting five points out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Playoff Math is Unforgiving
With only 37 games left in their regular season schedule, the Senators face a steep climb. To secure a postseason berth for the second consecutive year, they realistically need to play at a .600 winning percentage or better down the stretch. This daunting task leaves no room for nights where playing well but losing is considered acceptable.
"We need to win these games," stated Tkachuk bluntly after the game. "These are must-win games in our world. We're getting to the point that we just can't waste an effort." He even suggested that playing on consecutive nights might have helped, keeping the team focused without a long break to overthink.
Building Momentum, But Lessons Remain
The Senators exploded out of the gate in New York, building a commanding 4-0 lead in the first period—a frame Tkachuk called possibly the best he's seen from the team. However, he did not ignore the team's late-game lapse, where the Rangers scored three third-period goals.
"When you get into a game like that, it's natural to take your foot off the gas a little bit," Tkachuk admitted. "There is a lesson to be learned there... We're going to learn from that and be better because of it." He stressed the importance of playing a full 60-minute game to support rookie goaltender Leevi Merilainen.
The schedule offers no respite. After a day off Thursday, the Senators prepared Friday for another critical home-and-home set against Atlantic Division rivals: the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday at home and the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday on the road. For Tkachuk and the Senators, the message is simple: the playoff push starts now, and every single point is non-negotiable.
