OTTAWA – Brady Tkachuk will be the center of attention when the Florida Panthers kick off their four-game trip against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on Wednesday.
Traded to the Panthers in June, Tkachuk tallied 463 points (213G, 250A) in 572 career games with the Senators from 2018-19 to 2025-26, including serving as Ottawa's captain for five seasons.
"I've had so many great memories here that I'll have forever,” Tkachuk said of his time with the Senators. “I don't know what the exact emotion is going to be, but I just know how thankful and appreciative I am for everything that's happened the last eight years."
Helping the Panthers stretch their winning streak to three games and improve to 5-2-2, Tkachuk was named First Star of the Week in the NHL for the week ending Oct. 18 after producing 10 points (6G, 4A) in four games, including scoring back-to-back hat tricks.
In their last outing, the Panthers cruised to an 8-3 win over the Seattle Kraken on Saturday thanks to a pair of hat tricks from Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett. Following Tkachuk’s lead, the Panthers enter tonight’s tilt with at least one hat trick in three straight contests.
“Teams are pushing for something,” defenseman Radko Gudas said. “It’s important when starting the season. You know, we get the best out of everybody. Everybody's fresh. Everybody's still healthy enough. Those are games that are most fun to play.”
Sitting at 6-3-0, the Senators enter tonight’s matchup on the heels of a 3-1 loss at Philadelphia on Saturday. With the goals starting to dry up a bit after a hot start to the season, Ottawa has netted just three in their last three games while going 1-2-0.
An important early-season matchup and a chance for a four-point swing, the Panthers and Senators are currently tied for third place in the Atlantic Division with 12 points each.
“This is a big divisional game,” Tkachuk said. “Two teams that are off to really good starts. It's going to be a fun, competitive game.”
For more information on tonight’s game, continue below.
EYE ON THE CATS
TIP YOUR HAT: The Panthers have registered hat tricks in three consecutive games for the first time in franchise history. The only other teams to do so over the last 30 years are the Toronto Maple Leafs from Feb. 13-17, 2024 (3 GP) and Washington Capitals from Feb. 7-11, 2010 (3 GP). Making history, the Panthers are the first team in over 100 years with four or more hat tricks before their tenth game of the season.
GUDAS RETURNS: Out since Oct. 12 with a lower-body injury, Radko Gudas is expected to return to the blue line against the Senators. In six games this season, the grizzled veteran has recorded 13 hits and 11 blocks while averaging 13:08 of ice time per contest. Uvis Balinskis is expected to come out of the lineup.
MARKSTROM OUT: Jacob Markstrom is expected to miss the next 10-14 days while recovering from an upper-body injury suffered in Monday’s practice. In six appearances this season, he’s posted a 3-1-1 record with a 2.21 goals-against average, a .897 save percentage and one shutout. Expected to make his NHL debut on this road trip, rookie Cooper Black has been recalled from the AHL.
STILL STREAKING: Matthew Tkachuk is carrying an eight-game point streak into Ottawa. Leading the Panthers with 14 points (3G, 11A) this season, the 28-year-old forward has been especially hot as of late, racking up nine assists over his past three outings.
SEASON DEBUT: Recalled from the AHL on Monday, Cole Scwhindt is expected to make his season debut with the Panthers and the center the team’s fourth line. In 29 games with the Florida in 2025-26, the 25-year-old registered seven points (5G, 2A). Prior to his recall, he’d logged three points (1G, 2A) in five games with the Checkers in the AHL this season.
FIVE KEY STATS
- The Panthers have three players that are currently averaging over a point per game: Matthew Tkachuk (1.56), Seth Jones (1.11) and Brady Tkachuk (1.11).
- The Panthers won three of their four meetings with the Senators last season, outscoring Ottawa 16-12.
- Lars Eller skated in 68 games with the Senators in 2025-26, posting 15 points (5G, 10A).
- Carter Verhaeghe has produced at least a point in each of his last three games, including finding the back of the net five times.
- Seth Jones ranks fifth among NHL defensemen with nine assists.
THEY SAID IT
“Very interesting start of the season. A lot of games on the road. Very excited to get back out here, get the road games out of our hands right away. We’re spending some time together, so it’s always fun to start a season like that.” – Radko Gudas on the start of another road trip
“I look forward to it. When I come back here, I think of the good time that I had here. It was a good experience. Good people all around. On the team, I made friendships. For me, it's just positive memories coming back up.” – Lars Eller on facing his former teammates in Ottawa
“It's a special place to be and to be able to be here to see some of my best friends and staff as well. It’s great so far. I'm just really looking forward to tonight.” – Brad Tkachuk on his return to Ottawa
"Bring the passion. Bring whatever it is you feel. That's what hockey and pro sports is all about. Let it all fly." – Paul Maurice on the excitement surrounding tonight’s game
OPPOSITION OUTLOOK
- Tim Stützle leads the Senators with 12 points (5G, 7A) through nine games. The second most-productive start in his career, the 24-year-old forward has dished out an assist in four of his last five games. In 17 career games against the Panthers, he’s scored five goals.
- Thirteen different Senators have scored at least one goal this season. Drake Batherson tops the team’s leaderboard with four goals, but has lit the lamp just once in his last four games. Overall, the Senators rank 25th in the NHL with 2.44 goals scored per contest.
- Linus Ullmark is expected to get the nod in net for the Senators. Standing on his head, the 33-year-old goaltender has posted a 6-1-0 record with a 1.33 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage. Doing a lot of heavy lifting between the pipes, he ranks third in the NHL with 7.7 goals saved above expected this season, according to MoneyPuck.com.
- Last taking the ice on Oct. 3, Jake Sanderson is expected to return to action for Ottawa. Last season, the 24-year-old defenseman had 54 points (14G, 40A) in 67 games. However, the Senators will be missing captain Thomas Chabot, who’s out with an upper-body injury.
PROJECTED LINEUP
Forwards
Brady Tkachuk – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk
Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Reinhart – Lars Eller
Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Sandis Vilmanis
Boko Imama – Cole Schwindt – Garnet Hathaway
Defensemen
Gustav Forsling – Aaron Ekblad
Niko Mikkola – Seth Jones
Dmitry Kulikov – Radko Gudas
Goaltenders
Akira Schmid
Cooper Black
TEAM STATS
