OTTAWA — It was hard for certain players not to be emotional in the Ottawa Senators dressing room entering Saturday’s game. Two men in particular used those emotions for the Sens’ good.
Dylan Cozens’ and Brady Tkachuk’s contributions helped the Senators secure 2 precious points in a 4-3 overtime win over the New York Rangers, keeping them in the Eastern Conference wild-card playoff spot. Both men had reason to feel out of sorts for essentially the same reason: a deadline deal that reverberated in the Senators dressing room and beyond, sending centre Josh Norris and defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker to the Buffalo Sabres for Cozens, defenceman Dennis Gilbert and a 2026 second-round pick.
Cozens has barely lived in his new city for a full day and made an impact, notching an assist and nine hits (a single-game high for him). Cozens’ Corsi rate was at 55.56 percent, according to Natural Stat Trick.
He was slotted on the Senators’ second line with David Perron and Drake Batherson to start the game and occupied the bumper spot and net-front positions on the Sens’ second power-play unit.
“I just talked about our team identity and how we want to play,” Senators head coach Travis Green said. “I think it fits in with how he wants to play. (I just told him to) go play, enjoy the game. Play fast, play physical and good things will happen.”
There is a lot to prove for Cozens, who many believe still has an upside worth tapping into despite back-to-back down seasons in Buffalo. He sure played like it.
“I’m just focused on winning now,” Cozens said. “I just wanted to win this game so bad, especially my first game here. I just wanted to win, so I’m glad we did that.”
Cozens learned midday Friday that he was the centrepiece of the Senators’ trade with the Sabres. It was a “shock” to the 24-year-old, who said he didn’t expect to be traded (conversely, neither did Norris). Buffalo, destined to miss the playoffs for a 14th consecutive season, was in Florida. Cozens quickly hopped on a flight and arrived in Ottawa by 9 p.m. ET Friday. The young centre barely had time to worry about making a first impression on his new team: The Senators hosted the Rangers at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
The new Senators centre drew cheers during his first shift as a Senator, leading an offensive rush and completing a clean zone entry before a penalty was drawn. He found himself in numerous battles in corners of the ice and used his frame to shield off opposing players. That zone entry at the beginning of the game wasn’t his first, and the Senators will use that to their advantage whether at even strength or with the man advantage.
There might be no better example than the play that gave him his primary assist. Cozens used his pace to enter the zone, then caught up with his chip off the wall and into the corner. Once the Senators kicked the puck out of the blue line, Cozens occupied the net-front position in front of Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin. He was close to scoring his first on that play, but he benefitted from having another teammate help with the dirty work.
Ridly Greig makes it 3-2! Dylan Cozens nets his first assist with the Sens. He also started the play with a crisp entry- an area where Ottawa’s struggled. #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/vegDKRfKCg
— Everyday Sens (@EverydaySens) March 8, 2025
“It was a good shot from the blue that got through,” Cozens said. “I just saw it sitting there, and my eyes — I couldn’t believe it was sitting there, and then I somehow managed to miss it. But I’m glad Ridly (Greig) was there to follow it up and tap it home.”
Cozens will spend the rest of the weekend getting to know his new teammates, but it helps that some familiar faces are already in the dressing room. Greig was a teammate of Cozens’ at the 2024 IIHF World Championship for Team Canada. That shot from the blue line came from Thomas Chabot, who captained Canada’s World Championship team in 2022 to a silver medal alongside Cozens and Drake Batherson. Senators assistant coach Nolan Baumgartner was also an assistant on that World Championship team.
“A lot of familiar faces makes it easy coming to a new team,” Cozens said.
Tkachuk’s leadership will help with that transition, even as he’s still processing his shock from the trade. The Senators captain barely got to know Cozens and Gilbert before the puck dropped Saturday, but much of that was because of scheduling.
“Today was as tough of a situation with the 12:30 (start),” Tkachuk said. “You’re just (like,) ‘Hello, let’s go play hockey.’”
It’s been a whirlwind of emotions for Tkachuk over the past 24 hours. His reactions to Friday’s trade went viral, clearly shaken when addressing Norris’ trade with local media. If Tkachuk didn’t play well Saturday, his 500th career NHL game — completely overshadowed by the trade deadline — we might have pointed to that as a reason. Instead, the captain scored twice, including the overtime winner, and led all skaters with nine shots on net.
Tkachuk was named the game’s first star. And as fans chanted, “Brady! Brady!” on repeat, Tkachuk couldn’t help but show his emotions again.
“Let’s go,” he yelled in response.
Tkachuk has goals in four straight games since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off, and Tim Stützle’s assist extends his points streak to 14 games (five goals, 20 points).
“We did it against Washington, we did it to a great team tonight and we can do it against anybody.”
Brady Tkachuk is FIRED UP. Absolutely surreal atmosphere. #GoSensGo https://t.co/6eneUgDsoa pic.twitter.com/HsfoJiPZim
— Everyday Sens (@EverydaySens) March 8, 2025
“It was a really hard day yesterday. It sucked,” Tkachuk said. “With that being said, today you’ve got a job to do. For us, every game is a Game 7 right now. So you can’t let emotions and things in your head get in the way of it. For us, it’s all about winning this game.”
And just as the early start favoured Cozens when it came to getting over the nerves involved when playing for a new team, it likely benefitted Tkachuk to continue his team’s charge for the postseason right away. The Senators will remain in a playoff spot come Sunday morning and return to the ice Monday against the Detroit Red Wings, the second consecutive Monday that Ottawa will play a game. Cozens and Gilbert will have to get acclimated on the fly.
“It’s going to be really fun to get to know them (Saturday and) the next couple of days and be a part of this ride and journey to the end,” Tkachuk said. “Two great guys so far, and I’m really looking forward to getting to know them.”
(Photo: Chris Tanouye / Freestyle Photography / Getty Images)
