Garrioch reported at the beginning of the third period that Tkachuk was not on the bench with the club. Tkachuk took a high stick from Mark Jankowski, and according to Garrioch, looked shaken up.
After the game, Tkachuk spoke with reporters, assuring fans that the decision was head coach Travis Green’s, the team doctors and the trainers. He also confirmed that he will be in the lineup for Game 1 of Ottawa’s first-round matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“It was obviously precautionary. I took a couple of sticks in the face,” Tkachuk said. “The plan was that I wasn’t going to play much tonight, just get my legs underneath me. I got everything I need tonight. I felt good. It was just precautionary. Nothing to worry about.”
The Senators won the game 7-5, thanks to a two-goal and one assist effort from Drake Batherson.
Tkachuk finishes the year with 29 goals and 26 assists for 55 points and 123 penalty minutes in 71 regular-season games. Now in his seventh season, Tkachuk has 191 goals and 213 assists for 404 points and 750 penalty minutes in 511 career games with the Senators.
As for the Senators, they finish the season with a 45-30-7 record and 97 points, fourth in the Metropolitan Division. Tim Stutzle lead the team in points with 76 points.
