Senators captain Brady Tkachuk set to return Saturday versus Sharks

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk will make his return to the lineup Saturday against the San Jose Sharks, Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch confirmed Friday.

Sidelined for the past two games due to a lower-body injury that he sustained while competing with Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Tkachuk rejoins a Senators squad in need of a boost, having lost five straight. Despite the recent skid, Ottawa remains in the midst of the playoff race in the Eastern Conference, standing 29-25-4 and only four points back of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second wildcard position.

Through 56 appearances this season, Tkachuk has collected 21 goals and 23 assists to sit third in team scoring with 44 points. The 25-year-old native of Scottsdale, Ariz., also headlines the Senators with 101 penalty minutes, second-most league-wide behind Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov.

Originally chosen fourth overall by Ottawa in the 2018 NHL Draft, Tkachuk has totaled 496 career contests with the Senators in which he has registered 183 goals and 210 assists for 393 points. During the 2022-23 campaign, Tkachuk scored a career-high 83 points counting 35 goals and 48 assists coming in 82 games.

Should the Senators qualify for the playoffs this year, it will mark the first postseason appearance of Tkachuk’s career. The Senators last participated in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2017.

While Tkachuk is set to return to the lineup, the Senators await further word on fellow forwards Josh Norris and Shane Pinto. Both participated in regular practice Friday, while Senators head coach Travis Green noted that he is ‘hopeful’ the two will be ready to play Saturday, per Sportsnet’s Alex Adams. Norris has missed the past six games due to a mid-body injury, while Pinto has been sidelined for the past four contests due to an upper-body ailment.