Brady Tkachuk called the chance to play in the playoffs “surreal” after his best night’s sleep in ages and walked into Scotiabank Arena with high hopes. The Senators, back in the postseason for the first time since 2017, were hungry to deliver their fans a series win after nearly a decade of drought. But Toronto had other plans, and their fans made Tkachuk the target of their wrath. Imagine finally reaching the Stanley Cup Playoffs after six grueling seasons, only to be serenaded by a sold-out crowd giving you a harsh treatment.

The B/R Open Ice’ X handle was quick to report the “Brady Sucks,” chants echoed through the arena. They tweeted, Chants of “BRADY SUCKS” at Scotiabank Arena 👀. ” Yes, that’s exactly what Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk faced in his playoff debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs, a 6-2 loss that left Sens fans dreaming of a do-over. On the ice, Tkachuk wasn’t exactly the game-changer Ottawa needed. He fired a team-high five shots and threw seven hits, but he was held pointless and picked up a roughing penalty in a late-second-period scuffle with Toronto’s Scott Laughton. The Senators, meanwhile, unravelled, racking up 32 penalty minutes, “a grocery list of penalties”, compared to Toronto’s 14. The Leafs capitalized, scoring twice per period and going 4-for-4 on the power play, leaving Ottawa chasing the game from start to finish.

The Hostility towards Brady didn’t start at the Leafs’ game. Remember Tkachuk’s recent scrap with Brandon Hagel at the 4 Nations Face-Off, or his brother Matthew mixing it up with Sam Bennett. Those fisticuffs, followed by a 3-1 U.S. win over Canada, only cranked up the hostility from Canadian fans. With Game 2 looming, the chippy icy vibe and Toronto’s ruthless crowd aren’t going anywhere. Tkachuk’s ready for the spotlight, but Leafs fans are ready to make his playoff life miserable. For Brady—it’s only getting started.

Tkachuk’s journey to this moment hasn’t been easy. Drafted fourth overall in 2018, he’s been a cornerstone for Ottawa but missed the postseason in his first six seasons. This year, he powered the Senators back to the playoffs for the first time since 2017, even if his personal stats—29 goals and 55 points in 72 games—were his lowest in four years. Still, getting to the big stage is a win in itself.

Tkachuk, never one to mince words, shrugged it off post-game, “I guess I expected it. Couldn’t care less. I don’t really give a sh–, to be honest with you.” He’s already got his eyes on Game 2, insisting the jeers won’t rattle him. But you’ve got to wonder if the hostility stung just a little, especially on such a long-awaited night.

Brady Tkachuk draws support from parents instead of brother

The Tkachuk brothers are presenting a special and thrilling challenge to one another, this NHL playoffs as both brothers, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, take the postseason ice at the same time for the first time. Matthew, leading forward for the Florida Panthers, is well-experienced with the playoffs, going on his seventh postseason stint in nine years of NHL play.

This year, he topped it off by celebrating the ultimate, holding aloft the Stanley Cup following the Panthers’ dramatic Game 7 victory against the Edmonton Oilers. The younger brother and captain of the Ottawa Senators, Brady, took to the ice tonight for his playoff debut after being in the league for seven years. For parents Keith and Chantal Tkachuk, this two-playoff-appearing scenario has resulted in a difficult but sincere choice: they’re committing their whole heart to Brady and the Senators.

Brady unveiled the family’s position with a smile, stating, “They got the Stanley Cup experience last year… they’re all in on the Sens.” It’s a change for the Tkachuk family, who have been regulars at Matthew’s playoff games since his rookie season with the Calgary Flames. Brady himself was in attendance last season, watching Matthew win hockey’s ultimate prize. And now, with Brady finally getting his chance at playoff success, the family is gathering behind the Senators’ captain as he takes on the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round.

The scheduling creates an added layer of complexity. Other than Ottawa’s Game 1 against Toronto, all the Senators and Panthers’ first-round games conflict, requiring the family to choose. Their decision to support Brady is both a nod to his milestone achievement and the Senators’ underdog mentality. In the regular season, Ottawa and Florida played each other three times, with Brady’s Senators taking all three of those games, foreshadowing the competitive advantage that he provides.

The threat of the Tkachuk brothers’ showdown hangs in the balance if both their teams make it through. To do that, Matthew’s Panthers will have to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Brady’s Senators will have to pull off a shocker in beating the Maple Leafs. It would be hockey fanatics’ ultimate dream and a bittersweet experience for the Tkachuk family, who, at least for now, are sporting Senators’ colors. As Brady makes his first playoff steps, his parents’ encouragement highlights the close-knit nature that characterizes this hockey family.