Tkachuk Lights Up MSG to Carry Senators to a Huge Win
The Ottawa Senators stormed Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night, pounding the New York Rangers 8-4. Brady Tkachuk stole the show, scoring his 200th NHL regular-season goal and setting up three more. Ottawa jumped early, with Drake Batherson cashing in on the power play just 2:18 in, and Dylan Cozens adding another right before the first period buzzer. By the end of twenty minutes, the Senators had scored four goals in a single period at MSG for the first time in their history.
The Rangers crowd was not impressed. Fans booed their team off the ice after the opening frame, and things didn’t get better as Ottawa kept the pressure on. Jonathan Quick let in six goals on just 17 shots before being pulled for Spencer Martin midway through the second. But Quick hardly deserves the blame—his defence left him scrambling all night. At the other end, Leevi Merilainen, making his ninth straight start while Linus Ullmark is out, stopped 18 shots and kept the Senators in control.
Key Point One: Tkachuk Sets the Tone
Tkachuk didn’t just reach a milestone. He dictated the pace from the opening faceoff, creating chances for Batherson and Cozens and keeping the Rangers on their heels. His combination of scoring and playmaking set the template for the entire night.
Key Point Two: The Senators’ Depth Comes Through
It wasn’t all Tkachuk. Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot, and David Perron all found the net, and Tim Stutzle finished it off with a goal. Ottawa’s depth showed it can carry the load when the stars aren’t enough, and that balance made the win feel complete.
Key Point Three: Merilainen Holds the Fort
Even in a high-scoring game, Merilainen was steady. His saves kept the Senators confident and allowed them to push forward without worrying about letting the Rangers back in. It was a quiet but crucial performance in a wild night.
Final Thoughts from the Senators’ Perspective
Back-to-back wins against Vancouver and New York feel like the team is finally hitting its stride. Tkachuk’s milestone is nice, but the bigger story is the balance—lines rolling, defence contributing, and a goalie who can handle the chaos. Ottawa heads into the next stretch with momentum, but consistency will decide how far this team can go.