Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk didn’t need to be reminded about how loud Scotiabank Arena can get during the playoffs following his postseason debut on Sunday.
The Senators foward heard it firsthand on Sunday as Toronto Maple Leafs fans chanted “Brady sucks” during Ottawa’s 6-2 loss in Game 1.
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Asked about the jeers, Tkachuk made clear he was unfazed by them and already pointed to a new opportunity to right his team’s wrongs coming with Game 2, scheduled for Tuesday.
“I guess I expected it,” Tkachuk said. “Couldn’t care less. I don’t really give a (expletive), to be honest. That’s not going to affect me. And honestly, new game Tuesday.”
Tkachuk had five shots, seven hits, one blocked shot and a roughing penalty in just under 17 minutes of ice time against the Leafs in his playoff debut.
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The Senators, however, fell into trouble by committing one penalty after another, giving Toronto six power-play opportunities and watching the Leafs convert on three of them.
“Clear as day what the issue is,” Tkachuk said. “We took too many penalties, they scored on it, and that’s the game. So that’s on us.”
Tkachuk acknowledged the team lost control and needs to have a better mindset during the remainder of the series.
“I think we just got a little careless. Sticks, cross-checks, pushes — whatever you want to call it,” Tkachuck said. “Sometimes that just happens, but we need to be more disciplined.”
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Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk during a break against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Stanley Cup playoffs.John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
As many as 11 Senators players took penalties on Sunday, including five being penalized with four or more minutes. Along with Tkachuk, Ridly Greig, Tim Stutzle, Adam Gaudette and Drake Batherson all contributed to the total of 38 penalty minutes.
Tkachuk emphasized the importance of regrouping ahead of Game 2.
“Everybody’s first game jitters, nerves, whatever you want to call it — now that that’s passed, that doesn’t change the mindset,” Tkachuk said. “Obviously frustrated, but at the end of the day, it’s a new game.”
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The Leafs will host Game 2 on Tuesday night in Toronto before the Senators take the series to their home arena for Games 3 and 4.
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