On Monday morning, Brady Tkachuk’s absence was evident.
The Ottawa Senators captain was absent during a 40-minute skate, but he grinned for the cameras during the team photo taken at the Canadian Tire Centre before to practice.
But don’t worry. Tkachuk is scheduled to play against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night at the KeyBank Center after taking a maintenance day, according to Ottawa coach Travis Green, who informed reporters of this.
I hope (Tkachuk) performs tomorrow,” Green remarked.
Because Tkachuk worsened a lower-body injury during the team’s 3-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night at the Prudential Center, his absence alarmed social media followers.
Since then, Tkachuk’s health has been a hot topic and a cause for concern because he is third on the club in scoring with 28 goals, 26 assists and 54 points in 67 games.
The level of worry also was raised when the Senators recalled Stephen Halliday from its American Hockey League affiliate in Belleville on Monday morning, but he only took part in the skate and then returned to the minor-league affiliate.
Green told reporters after a game against the Boston Bruins on March 13 that Tkachuk had been dealing with a hip issue.
Losing Tkachuk for any length of time is a tough blow, especially with the Senators trying to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in eight years. However, if this is what has to be done, then so be it.
He missed two games after returning from suiting up for Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off as the result of an injury he suffered on Feb. 17 versus Team Sweden.
