Fans of the Ottawa Senators can finally take a breath of relief as it appears that key players Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, and Thomas Chabot have avoided serious injury following a tumultuous pre-season match against the Montreal Canadiens.

The Senators battled fiercely but ultimately secured a 4-3 victory at the Bell Centre on Tuesday night. Despite the win, the event took a darker turn when the team lost all three stars during this high-stakes encounter.

Steve Staios, the team's president of hockey operations and general manager, confirmed on the Locked on Senators podcast that, “They’re all OK.” The update came just 90 minutes after head coach Travis Green suggested more clarity would come from Thursday’s practice session. “I’ll give more of an update then,” Green stated. “We didn’t skate today, so I don’t have much to offer.”

The Senators kick off their regular season on October 10 against the Florida Panthers, making the health of their star players crucial. Green assured fans, “I don’t suspect we’re going to lose three players,” expressing confidence that their injuries weren’t severe. Stutzle, Tkachuk, and Chabot were seen at the rink, which alleviated concerns about their availability.

The match against the Canadiens escalated when Ottawa forward Ridly Greig delivered a blindside hit to Montreal’s Kirby Dach late in the first period. Tensions soared as Greig was penalized only with a minor penalty, prompting a retaliatory response from the Canadiens. Dach returned to play, but the hostility was palpable.

Greig, reflecting on the incident, said, “I can understand why they were upset. It was definitely a bad read on my part.” He acknowledged the heated dynamic of the rivalry, which contributed to the intensity of the game.

As the game progressed, the Canadiens retaliated with even greater force. Defenceman Arber Xhekaj targeted Stutzle, resulting in a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct. Unfortunately, the hit forced Stutzle to exit the game, and Tkachuk followed soon after due to an altercation with Xhekaj, requiring medical attention.

Green, while frustrated, highlighted the reality of such physical play in pre-season hockey, stating, “It’s an emotional and physical game.” This season, the Senators will have to navigate the balance of aggression and caution, particularly as they prepare for the intensified competition of the regular season.

The Senators and Canadiens meet again Saturday in Ottawa for their final pre-season game, and given the recent clash, fans can expect a similarly charged atmosphere. Staios might consider recalling some players from Belleville to mitigate the risk of injury to key players before the start of the season.

As the pre-season culminates, questions about its frequency and necessity continue to stir debate among fans and analysts alike. Players are keen to leave a mark and secure their spots on the roster, but as demonstrated, the pre-season can quickly turn violent, raising concerns about player safety before opening night.

The Senators have set their sights high, hoping for a strong regional showing as the season unfolds, but they will need their leading players on the ice if they want to make a significant impact.