The Ottawa Senators ended their tumultuous 2021 season on a sour note with a frustrating 7-5 loss to the Florida Panthers. The game was marred by a series of physical altercations that left both Panthers and Senators players injured and Tkachuk brothers in the spotlight once again. Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, known for their tough and aggressive style of play, were at the center of the evening’s most heated moments, as they exchanged blows with Panthers players throughout the game. It was a fittingly chaotic end to a year that saw the Senators battle internal and external challenges, including player injuries, COVID-19 protocols, and the controversial departure of former coach Jim Montgomery. Despite their efforts, the Senators ultimately fell short of a playoff berth, leaving both players and fans with plenty to reflect on heading into the off-season.
The Florida Panthers extended their winning streak to five games, beating the Ottawa Senators 7-2 on April 6, 2023. The standout performance of the game came from goalie Alex Lyon, who set a franchise record of 56 saves in regulation time, surpassing the previous record of 53 set in 2008 by Craig Anderson. Lyon has been starting in place of Sergei Bobrovsky, who has been out of play since falling ill last week. The win sees Florida remain tied with the New York Islanders for the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference; they hold the tiebreaker due to more wins.
In addition to Lyon’s record-setting game, Aleksander Barkov scored twice, contributing significantly to the Panthers’ victory. Other goals were scored by Brandon Montour, Sam Reinhart, Eetu Luostarinen, Nick Cousins and Gustav Forsling, with five goals by the team in the second period alone. Claude Giroux and Ridly Greig scored for the Senators, with the team officially eliminated from playoff contention.
As well as Lyon, both teams made other changes, with Bobrovsky and Cam Talbot not dressing for the game. Matthew Tkachuk had assists on Florida’s first two goals, going on to surpass his previous career-high points total with 104 set with Calgary last season. During the same stoppage, brothers Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk were involved in separate fights resulting in game misconduct penalties.
The Senators will face the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 8. The Panthers will visit the Washington Capitals on the same night.
In conclusion, the Tkachuk brothers’ fight may have garnered a lot of attention, but it ultimately overshadowed the Ottawa Senators’ elimination from playoff contention. Despite the disappointment of missing the post-season, the Senators can take solace in the fact that they put up a good fight and showed improvement throughout the shortened season. As for the Tkachuks, it remains to be seen if their family bond can withstand the intensity of an NHL game, but one thing is for sure, their competitive spirit will continue to be on full display on the ice.
