Earlier today, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that captain Brady Tkachuk would likely sit out of the Ottawa Senators’ first game back from the 4 Nations Face-Off due to a minor injury. Tkachuk’s recovery timeline is only considered day-to-day but his absence from tonight’s game was later confirmed when the Senators shared their lineups.
Any of the multi-million viewers of the 4 Nations Face-Off likely could have predicted this outcome. Tkachuk was one of the most noticeable players on Team USA scoring big goals and delivering even bigger hits. He did have some mild injury concerns due to colliding with the net during the game against Sweden but he never missed a game.
Due to his rough-and-tumble style of play and the playoff atmosphere throughout the tournament, it’s understandable that Tkachuk could use additional rest. Thankfully, although his absence is felt tonight against the Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa has a three-day break until their next game giving their captain plenty of time to rest and recuperate.
Other injury notes from the Eastern Conference:
- According to Arthur Staple of The Athletic, New York Rangers’ center Vincent Trocheck suffered a broken finger during the United States’ penultimate game against Sweden. Although he did not practice with the team yesterday, Trocheck miraculously suited up for the Rangers this evening. Unfortunately, the matchup didn’t turn out how he and New York would have hoped as Trocheck managed a -2 rating in 18:04 of ice time in an 8-2 blowout loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
- Before the Detroit Red Wings let a third-period two-goal lead collapse to the Minnesota Wild this afternoon, they lost one of their forwards to an apparent injury. After Alex DeBrincat landed a massive hit on Wild defenseman Brock Faber, center Andrew Copp joined the ensuing scrum. The altercation didn’t last long for Copp as he immediately fell to the ice and grabbed at his left shoulder. Copp finished the game with one assist in 10:20 of action.
Arber Xhekaj said today, He was going to beat the crap out of Brady Tkachuk tonight, Knowing Tkachuk wasn’t going to be in the lineup, Typical of a Canadian who’s barely in the league.
And will remain barely in this league
Love seeing such dumb comments. He’s challenged tkachuk numerous times and brady runs away . Say what you want but arber has barely even lost a fight and brady could barely win against sam bennett in 4 nations . Comical how little people know
Xhekaj is a minor league clown!
Hard to feel bad for Copp, got injured as a result of throwing an elbow into Boldy’s head
Brady should be captain at next years Olympics. Kid leaves it all on the ice.
That’s not the point. If brady decided to fight instead of jumping someone from behind, arber would hand him his ass . End of story
When has Brady jumped someone from behind?
The Tkachuks are talented warriors, And I don’t mind that Canada won the 4 nations meaningless exhibition, When it comes to the important hardware, It will be, Once again an American team lifting the Stanley Cup.
With mostly players on it. That’s a fact
Canadians players
Wings better get control over their 3rd period play. Squandering leads in the last 2 games is simply not sustainable. Dumping the puck to no one resulting in turn over is not a replacement for firm puck control.