Ottawa Senators Suffer Major Blow To Their Stanley Cup Hopes With Injury To Star Player

This season has been a rollercoaster for the Ottawa Senators, but with the season winding down, it appears that they are going to clinch a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, as they are ready to end an eight-year Stanley Cup Playoffs drought.

With a five point lead on the second Wild Card spot and the first team out of a playoff spot, things aren't guaranteed, but as long as the team don't completely fall apart, this could be a big year for them.

Unfortunately, injuries are one thing that could hold them back, and now, it's been revealed that captain Brady Tkachuk will miss their next game, and is officially considered day-to-day moving forward.

According to Bruce Garrioch, it's an upper-body injury that's currently holding the captain out of action, and while it's unlikely that he misses the teams final eight games, with the Canadiens and Rangers right on their heels, it's certainly something the team could be worried about.

In 71 games played this season, Tkachuk has posted 29 goals and 55 points while carrying a solid +2 differential, and simply put, if this team is to make any noise in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it will be on the back of Tkachuk's leadership and his dominant two-way play.

We will continue to keep you updated on Tkachuk's status as the Wild Card race in the Eastern Conference continues to heat up, and while it's unlikely he'll miss a significant period of time down the stretch, if he does, the Wild Card race is certainly alive and well moving forward.