Brady Tkachuk Comments on Making NHL Playoff Debut 7 Years After Being Drafted

Brady Tkachuk had a somewhat disappointing season personally as he recorded 29 goals and just 55 points through 72 games.

It is the lowest scoring rate he has had in the last four seasons.

That being said, the season overall was a success as the Senators qualified for the playoffs for the first time in Tkachuk's career.

This is the first time the team has made the postseason since 2017 when they went on a run to the Eastern Conference final carried by Erik Karlsson's broken foot.

Tkachuk is understandable excited about the opportunity, as he has stated in previous comments since clinching a playoff spot.

This morning though the reality of the situation really set in for him as game one against the Toronto Maple Leafs is tonight.

He told reporters this morning that he had the best night's sleep in 'a long time,' calling the feeling of playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs 'surreal.'

Brady's older brother Matthew will also be in the playoffs again this season as the Panthers look to win back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.

Matthew has already appeared in 71 career playoff games and he has 24 goals and 61 points in those contests.

If Brady can score at that pace he could be a difference maker for the Senators as they look to reward their fans with their first playoff series victory in nearly a decade.

That being said, Matthew certainly had more help from elite teammates than Brady will, but at the end of the day individual performances stand out on deep playoff runs.