Senators fall short in home opener as Brady Tkachuk’s injury looms

The Ottawa Senators’ home opener promised to be a launching pad in a season for joy, optimism and reasons to believe. Instead, it finished with more questions than answers. 

If a 4-1 loss to the lowly Nashville Predators in front of a sellout crowd of Senators fans ready to lift off wasn’t bad enough, Brady Tkachuk’s injury and current status now loom large. 

Tkachuk got cross-checked from behind by Roman Josi in the first period. Tkachuk was furious in the moment at the reckless Josi play that appeared to injure his wrist. He continued playing, but left in the middle of the third period. 

Travis Green provided no update on Tkachuk’s status after the game. He said the captain did not leave for precautionary reasons. 

“Next man up (mentality),” said Green. 

We might remember that this Senators squad lost their captain down the stretch last season and not only survived but thrived, making the playoffs largely without him. 

A 1-2-0 start isn’t great, but there is plenty of runway. As Thomas Chabot pointed out after the game, there are 79 left.

The problem is that if you don’t get off to a good start, it doesn’t provide the cushion to weather injuries. If Tkachuk is out long-term, the Senators are deep enough to mitigate the loss of their most important player. But there is little appetite for another October or November slumber like years prior. 

The biggest concern with or without Tkachuk is the lack of offensive production from Ottawa’s top six, which was evident against Nashville.

It starts with Tim Stutzle, especially if Tkachuk is banged up. Stutzle has been unable to convert on chances and possession, which was an issue last season when he only scored 24 goals despite great analytics. Against Nashville, Stutzle had three shots while turning the puck over with some frantic play, which has been the case so far this season for the German. 

Ottawa had only one high-danger chance at five-on-five with Stutzle on the ice on Monday, and he has just one assist in the first three games. That won’t do.

Stutzle is emblematic of Ottawa’s inability to score. The team has five even-strength goals in its first three games despite having a 53 per cent expected goals share. It’s a concern, especially for a team that finished second-last in that category last season. Through the first three games, the Senators are 22^nd in high-danger chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five. 

The Senators lost against Nashville because they couldn’t score. 

For all of Ottawa’s lack of scoring, Jake Sanderson thought he had given Ottawa a lead in the second period, but the goal was disallowed because it was deemed that Stutzle had interfered with Juuse Saros. 

“I was really shocked that the goal didn’t count,” said Green. 

His goaltender, Linus Ullmark, a card-carrying member of the goalie union, stood up for his counterpart.

“When you have a guy as talented as Saros on his legs and you see him being out of position on a simple play,” said Ullmark, “(then) something must have happened.”

(For the purposes of dissecting what goaltender interference is, Sportsnet has a great ongoing article.)

“In my book, it wasn’t (a goal),” said Chabot.

“It took close to 10 minutes to figure that out.”

Regardless, Nashville opened the scoring minutes later. It’s part of an early trend: The Senators have given up the first goal in each of their first three games.

“Obviously it was a big factor in the game,” said Green about the overturned goal.

The Senators need to score more — and first.