Ottawa has been battling a slump recently and may have to endure it without their captain. The heartbeat and pulse of the Ottawa team, Brady Tkachuk, sustained a lower-body injury in the 4 Nations Face-Off against Sweden, feeling discomfort just before crashing into the net. Although he played through pain in the tournament final, the injury has sidelined him from Ottawa’s lineup ever since.

Tkachuk confirmed that he had felt discomfort before crashing into the net, and it worsened afterward. He sat out Ottawa’s last match against the Canadiens and practiced this afternoon but exited the session early as a precaution. Still, Tkachuk hopes that he will be fit enough to play Ottawa’s next match against the Winnipeg Jets, a crucial game as the Senators attempt to regain momentum and push toward playoff contention.

The Senators, losing four games consecutively, need the captain badly back in the lineup. Brady has 21 goals, 11 power-play goals, and 44 total points, with 18 of those coming on the power play. His return will be vital if the Senators stand any chance of making it into the playoffs. All eyes will be on Brady Tkachuk to see if he can return and help turn things around for the Senators.

The uncertainty surrounding Brady Tkachuk’s return

Tkachuk skated this afternoon, including line rushes, although the fact that he left early tells us that he’s not 100% yet. He admitted that it’s a good bet that he will miss the Winnipeg game in an effort not to injure the injury further, saying, “I think everybody in (the dressing room), Sens fans, don’t want to see something nagging and take away from the next 24-25 games… maybe take time for one more just to be ready to go.”

This tells us that although he is keen to return, he appreciates the long-term significance of tending to the injury with great care. Ottawa cannot afford to be without their captain for a long period of time, with the season at the critical juncture it has reached.

While Brady Tkachuk has downplayed the injury’s scope, the fact that he’s listed as doubtful for a game in Ottawa and needs a vital two points is cause for alarm. He played the 4 Nations final against Canada in pain, but the Senators didn’t play him in the follow-up match against Montreal so that he didn’t push himself too hard too soon.

His injury has been termed a lower-body injury. While not providing much detail, he has confirmed that the pain had been there before the match with the net against Sweden. This has fueled speculation that Tkachuk may have been managing discomfort before the tournament, with the collision possibly aggravating a pre-existing issue.

Senators’ injury plight persists

Brady Tkachuk is not the only top player Ottawa has been missing. Forward Josh Norris, sidelined since February 3 with an upper-body injury, was a full participant in Tuesday’s practice. Wearing a regular jersey, he appears close to returning. Shane Pinto, also out with an upper-body injury, skated in a non-contact jersey but has not yet healed enough to play a game.

With Ottawa struggling to get the win together already, the timing of the injury could not be worse. The Senators are on a four-game losing streak and need a solid effort against the Winnipeg Jets to get the momentum going. Ottawa’s upcoming matchup against Winnipeg is crucial—not just due to their recent struggles but because every point matters in the Senators’ playoff push. The top-seeded Jets, with 85 points, will be a difficult opponent at any strength of play, and without the injured Tkachuk, the situation becomes that much harder.

If Brady Tkachuk remains out, Ottawa will look to Tim Stützle and Claude Giroux to step up in his absence. Despite solid play from the rest of the veterans, Tkachuk’s physicality and energy are not being replaced. His drive, net-front presence, and determination to shift the momentum of a game have been crucial to Ottawa’s season. The Senators will need the captain in the lineup if they’re going to put the skid behind them and head toward a place in the playoffs.