Senators Captain Carrying Team to Series Comeback

After the Ottawa Senators won Game 4 of their series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Senators' captain enthusiastically told the fans that they would be back. It was a bold statement from Brady Tkachuk, who assured the fans that the team would come back home for Game 6 despite trailing 3-1 in the opening-round series.

The Senators are, in fact, returning home for Game 6. They defeated the Leafs in Game 5, bringing the series to 3-2 and give the organization new life. It turns out Tkachuk was predicting the future.

It's also a credit to Tkachuk, who is dragging his team back into their first-round series. The Sens' captain, who is battling through a lower-body injury, has been superb against the Leafs. In five games, he leads the team with three goals, three assists, and six points. He's been excellent around the net, but he's also been a visionary playmaker in this series. It's clear that Tkachuk's elevated his game at the most important time for Ottawa.

And he's done it without sacrificing the parts of his game that make him unique. Despite being hampered by an injury, his forechecking hasn't suffered. His physical tendencies haven't waned either. He's providing a leadership on the ice by his example, and it's bringing the Senators back to life.

The Sens face another must-win game in Game 6. If they lose, their season ends. With another win, however, they'd force Game 7, becoming one of the few teams to come back from a 3-0 series deficit to force a final series contest.

But with Tkachuk leading the way, the Senators should feel confident. That man is ready for battle and will do anything he can to help his team win. That energy is contagious and unifying, which will make it no surprise when the Sens defeat the Maple Leafs to force an all-time classic of a Game 7 back in Toronto.