Brady Tkachuk in tears as Senators’ season ends in crushing sweep

The Ottawa Senators saw their playoff run end with a 4-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 4, completing a first-round sweep in the 2026 NHL Playoffs. It was a tight series, but Ottawa failed to find the finish when it mattered.

Captain Brady Tkachuk struggled to hold back tears after the final whistle.

Speaking to the media, he said, “It’s heartbreaking. Really tight series. Give credit to them. They’re a great team. Play hard. Don’t give you much. I think everybody in this room gave absolutely everything they had to try to extend the series, and it’s tough.”

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Ottawa’s biggest issue came on special teams. They went 1-for-9 on the power play in Game 4 and just 1-for-21 across the series. Several long 5-on-3 chances slipped away, and those moments shaped the outcome. From Ottawa’s view, that lack of finish proved costly.

Despite the loss, there were positives. Drake Batherson scored and added an assist, including a key power-play goal. Carter Yakemchuk impressed with two assists in his playoff debut. Late in the third, Dylan Cozens pulled Ottawa within one, but the comeback fell short.

Brady TKachuk talked about the series

Reflecting on the series, Tkachuk said, “Just what we learned. We knew it was going to be an absolute grind of a series, and I think every game showed that, not much room, and yeah, just sometimes you don’t get the luck with some of the post, some of the chances that don’t go in, and just heartbreaking.”

Tkachuk also pointed to the team’s fight through adversity. “We faced a lot of adversity to get to where we’re at. At the end of the day, we didn’t achieve our goals, and that stinks.”