Can Tkachuk and Sanderson Push the Senators Higher?
Watching the Ottawa Senators these days, it’s hard not to notice the way two players are steering the ship. Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson aren’t just piling up points; they’re defining how this team shows up night after night. And if Ottawa wants to start climbing the standings, it looks like these two are going to have to carry a lot of weight.
Tkachuk has been the team’s offensive leader.
Tkachuk has been the offensive spark plug. In Saturday’s 4-1 win over New Jersey, he scored a power-play goal and added a pair of assists, finishing with three points. That’s 14 goals and 22 assists this season. And his production has climbed back above a point per game over his last nine contests. It’s clear his physical style — the hits, the puck battles, the energy — sets a tone that teammates feed off. He’s the kind of forward who doesn’t just score; he makes the whole team feel like they can play harder.
Sanderson has taken over the blue line.
Sanderson, meanwhile, is quietly taking over the blue line. Two assists against New Jersey pushed him past Zdeno Chara for the fourth-most multipoint periods in franchise history by a Senators defenseman. At just 23, he’s already tied for seventh among NHL defensemen in points. Eleven points in his last nine games show he’s not just participating; it means he’s controlling the pace of play, creating chances, and keeping Ottawa competitive even when the games get messy. His blend of defence and offence is exactly what a young team needs to grow.
Tkachuk and Sanderson are more than the sum of their parts.
Together, Tkachuk and Sanderson are more than the sum of their parts. One drives the offence with flair and grit, the other stabilizes and orchestrates from the back end. Their performances aren’t happening in a vacuum. When they’re at their best, the wins usually follow. And if Ottawa wants to make some noise in the playoffs, these two will have to keep setting that standard.
Can the Senators sustain their success?
The question, of course, is sustainability. Can Tkachuk keep bringing the energy and scoring at this pace? Can Sanderson continue to dominate from the blue line without burning out? The team has flashes, but these two are the constants. If they keep trending upward, the Senators may have more than just a promising core — they might have a duo capable of lifting the team further than anyone expected.
It’s early February, but with Tkachuk and Sanderson leading the way, Ottawa fans might finally have something to get excited about.