Ottawa Senators’ Brady Tkachuk reacts after scoring a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers. AP PhotoArticle content
Brady Tkachuk was noticeable in his absence on Monday morning.
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The Ottawa Senators captain smiled for the cameras during the club’s team picture before practice at the Canadian Tire Centre, but he was nowhere to be seen during a 40-minute skate.
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But fear not. Ottawa coach Travis Green told reporters that Tkachuk was taking a maintenance day and is expected to play against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night at the KeyBank Center.
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“I anticipate (Tkachuk) playing tomorrow,” Green said.
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His absence had fans on social media concerned because Tkachuk aggravated a lower-body injury during the club’s 3-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night at the Prudential Center.
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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.
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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.
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Green told reporters after a game against the Boston Bruins on March 13 that Tkachuk had been dealing with a hip issue.
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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.
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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.
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He played through the ailment in the final against Team Canada on Feb. 20, but then didn’t play for the Senators against the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 22 or the Winnipeg Jets on Feb. 26.
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Tkachuk noted at the time he missed those games because he didn’t want something nagging him down the stretch. Green noted the Senators are taking the right approach by giving Tkachuk time off the ice.
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“I don’t think we need to overthink it. If he needs a day off, we’re going to give him the day off,” Green said. “I’m not going to get into one-on-one conversations that we have during the game, but there is a constant dialogue on how he’s feeling and where he’s at.”
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Tkachuk played only 13 minutes and 53 seconds against the Devils after scoring a goal in the first period. He had 20 shifts, including six in the third period, but he has averaged 18:24 in 67 games this season.