“Honestly, this is probably the most difficult year I’ve had, to date, mentally.” This was what Brady Tkachuk said last year in April after the Senators couldn’t make it to the playoffs seven years in a row. “I’m sick and tired of losing. I don’t want to be going home in April anymore,” he added. Well, the stars seemed to have aligned this year as the Sens captain is preparing for his first-ever playoff clash—and an iconic one at that.

It’s the Battle of Ontario. The first playoff clash with the Toronto Maple Leafs since 2004. The tension is palpable. But the Canadian Tire Center? Will it be a sea of red come Games 3 and 4 of the playoffs? Well, Brady Tkachuk’s recent plea to the Ottawa community and growing fan frustration over ticket sales highlight a critical issue as the Senators gear up for their first postseason in eight years.

Brady Tkachuk, the heart-and-soul captain of the Sens, didn’t mince words when asked about the importance of fans dominating the Canadian Tire Centre (CTC) by an Ottawa reporter, Claire Hanna. The tweet on her X handle said, “I said this right when we clinched. It’s going to take everybody. Not just the guys in this room…it’s going to take this whole city. Its going to take all the support, all the passion that we thrive off of. In an ideal world, hopefully it’s 17-18,000 Sens fans, but we’ll have to wait and see and worry about that when the time comes.”. He’s dreaming of a sea of red, with 17,000-18,000 Sens fans packing the arena, but he knows it’s not guaranteed. Why? Because Leafs fans have a habit of invading Ottawa’s rink, and this playoff series is no exception.

Now, with playoff tickets for Games 3 and 4 at the CTC going on sale April 17 at noon, the stakes are higher. Per Janson Duench’s report in the Ottawa Citizen, the Senators are fighting back, cancelling 125 accounts flagged as “garage brokers”—scalpers, many from outside Ottawa, reselling tickets to Leafs fans. The team is prioritizing Sens fans with pre-existing season ticket memberships to keep tickets local, but single-game seats are limited, and prices are steep. The cheapest ticket for Ottawa’s first home game? A jaw-dropping $418 on StubHub, compared to $369 for Game 1 in Toronto.

Fans are fired up, and not just about the costs. One passionate supporter put it bluntly by tweeting, “Please don’t sell your tickets to Leafs fans…while it’s tempting, it is an embarrassment to our fan base and our team.” Another suggested, “Honestly Sens fans should buy tickets in Toronto. If you couldn’t buy them in Ottawa.” It’s safe to that the Battle of Ontario is on even before the puck drop.

With limited CTC tickets, some are eyeing Scotiabank Arena to show their colors. It’s a sentiment rooted in pride. Ottawa swept Toronto 3-0 in the regular season, outscoring them 9-3, and fans want to flex that dominance at home. Andlauer’s confident, and Brady Tkachuk, skating again after an upper-body injury, is ready to feed off the home energy. A rink full of blue and white would sting, especially after Tkachuk’s plea for unity.

After missing 8 games, Brady Tkachuk ready to play in regular season finale

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk is set to make his comeback after missing eight games due to an upper-body injury, just in time for the team’s regular-season finale against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 25-year-old forward, known for his gritty play and leadership, wasn’t able to play against due to sustained injury, after taking a hit from Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ryan Graves on March 30. Tkachuk’s return is a significant boost for Ottawa as they aim to end the 2024-25 season on a high note. While talking to NHL.com, the Ottawa captain said, “It’s just going to be nice to finish off the regular season, finish off the grind that we’ve put ourselves through,” further adding, “I’ve been feeling great. Started ramping it up this week and been feeling really good—no issues, no problems. I think it’s important to get a game in, get some touches.”

Brady Tkachuk, who has recorded 29 goals and 26 assists in 71 games this season, practised fully with the team, skating on the top line alongside Tim Stützle and Claude Giroux.His presence is expected to energise the Senators, who have struggled with consistency but shown flashes of potential under interim head coach Travis Green. Brady Tkachuk’s return also allows him to test his health and chemistry with linemates ahead of a critical playoff run.

The Senators will rely on Brady Tkachuk’s physicality and offensive drive to set the tone. Fans at Canadian Tire Center are eager to see their captain back in action. And a goal or two from him will just light up the Canadian Tire Center