OTTAWA — Brady Tkachuk looked completely dejected following a 6-0 loss to his older brother’s Florida Panthers on Thursday.
The Ottawa Senators captain was often at a loss for words over what had just transpired. Matthew Tkachuk had a goal and two assists as his Panthers manhandled the Senators.
In addition to an offensive onslaught the Panthers got a 30-save shutout performance from Sergei Bobrovsky.
"Not much needs to be said," said Brady Tkachuk. "That was embarrassing."
Nick Cousins, Dmitry Kulikov, Anton Lundell, Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart also scored for Florida (48-24-5).
It was a rough night for Senators (33-38-4) goalie Joonas Korpisalo, who allowed four goals on 17 shots. Anton Forsberg gave up two on 14 shots.
"It took everybody, including obviously 'Bob,' but all four lines and everybody was in it today," said Lundell. "It was a great team win."
The Panthers had struggled of late going 2-7-1 through their last 10 games and putting a 60-minute effort together, a good omen for a team looking for another deep playoff run.
"We have a certain standard," said Panthers coach Paul Maurice. "It's not an easy game to play, but if you play that game then you should have fun.
"You should laugh and joke on the bench when something funny happens and you should be very present if you like your work ethic. It's hard to do that for 82 games the way we play, and we had a little lull in it (recently)."
The victory moved Maurice into sole possession of fourth place for most wins (865) by a head coach in NHL history.
"I (once) thought, ‘If I could coach 500 games in this league, that would be something else,’ because I think the average number is about 250 or 350," said Maurice. "I think you hit it and you go, 'If I could get 500 wins, that would be something,’ and then you just start getting older.
"I have more fun coaching the game now than I ever have in my life."
The Panthers padded their lead in the second period, scoring three times.
Lundell banked a shot off Korpisalo’s shoulder to make it 3-0 at 2:35. Less than two minutes later Bennett beat Korpisalo stick side putting an end to his night in goal.
Forsberg came on in relief but with just over two minutes remaining in the period Reinhart scored his 53rd of the season, beating Forsberg stick side.
Tkachuk rounded out the scoring with a power-play goal early in the third.
Ottawa had its chances but couldn’t capitalize going 0-for-6 with the man advantage.
"Obviously, they outplayed us," said Senators interim head coach Jacques Martin. “I thought the early first power play we had some good opportunities with the puck and we didn’t score and then it just seems like we didn’t stay with it and we had some frustration that builds up.
"Also giving up the two goals early in the game, you know, puts us behind the eight ball.”
Florida is 3-0 against the Senators this season, making Brady Tkachuk realize his Senators have a long way to go to compete with the Panthers.
“Looking at the games we played against them this year, 5-0, lose in overtime and lose 6-0 so I guess you can say that’s a team that you look at,” Tkachuk said. “Even missing one of their top guys they just roll you over … I guess that’s something to look at, analyze and compare ourselves to that we have a lot more work to do.”
NOTES — Ottawa D Thomas Chabot missed his third straight game with a lower body injury. He’s hoping to return to the lineup Saturday. … Angus Crookshank is dealing with a lower body injury which led to Jiri Smejkal being recalled from the American Hockey League's Belleville Senators. … Florida’s Aaron Ekblad missed the game after being injured Tuesday and isn’t expected back until the playoffs.
UP NEXT —
Ottawa hosts New Jersey on Saturday.
Florida takes on the Boston Bruins on Saturday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 4, 2024.
Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press
