The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs are here, and the Toronto Maple Leafs have a very fun matchup. They will be facing their provincial rivals in the Ottawa Senators.
The Leafs should be favourites to win this series and, on paper, are the better roster. Following the 4 Nations Face-Off, Senators captain Brady Tkachuk proved to be a formidable force. At 6’4″ and 225 pounds, Brady is the type of power forward that combines grit, physical strength and scoring similar to that of a Tom Wilson.
If the Leafs want to make their trip to the second round any easier, it will be important for them to shut down Tkachuk and make sure his physical play doesn’t give the Leafs stars some trouble.
Tkachuk’s Impact
Tkachuk’s game is characterized by his physicality, net-front presence, and ability to get into the heads of his opponents. He thrives in making space for his teammates and is often involved in dragging other stars into the fight that can shift momentum.
His leadership as the captain of the Sens further amplifies his impact on the ice. Limiting his impact requires disciplined strategies and an approach that addresses both his offensive capabilities and his disruptive style of play.
Defensive Strategies for the Maple Leafs
- Physicality
In order to shut down Tkachuk’s physicality, the Leafs have to keep up with his intensity. Defencemen like Chris Tanev and Jake McCabe should step up for this, offering the size and grit needed to slow down Tkachuk along the boards and in front of the net. Their experience can help handle power forwards and help mitigate Tkachuk’s effectiveness in high-danger areas. - Control the neutral zone
Maintaining tight control is essential to prevent Tkachuk from skating through the neutral zone. By forechecking hard and early, the Leafs can slow down his entry into the offensive zone and force him to play outside along the boards. This approach shuts down his ability to use his size to overpower defenders and maintain possession. - Line matching
Leafs head coach Craig Berube’s defensive systems emphasize resilience and adaptability. Using defence pairings that can handle Tkachuk’s line, particularly when matched against Tim Stützle and Claude Giroux, will be important. Ensuring that the Leafs’ top pairs, as well as the Leafs top stars, are on the ice during key moments can limit Tkachuk’s opportunities and shift the matchup in the Leafs favour. - Disrupting power play opportunities
Tkachuk is a big presence on the Senators’ power play, often being the net front presence to screen the goaltender and create chaos. The Leafs have to remain disciplined in penalty killing strategies, focusing on keeping the crease clear and limiting Tkachuk’s space. This includes active stick work and positioning to prevent him from establishing his presence in high-danger areas. - Goaltending
Anthony Stolarz will most likely start for the Leafs, and must be particularly aware against Tkachuk’s deflections and screens, as well as his attempts to agitate the goalie. Keeping his view clear and maintaining effective communication with the Leafs defence to maintain timely puck tracking will be crucial. Stolarz’s ability to read the play and move quickly to Tkachuk’s movements can limit the forward’s effectiveness in being a net-front threat.
The most important part of the series?
Tkachuk thrives on drawing other team stars into the fight. The Leafs have to remain disciplined and avoid retaliatory penalties that could give the Sens power plays. Staying focused on the game plan and not engaging in Tkachuk’s actions will be essential to neutralizing his influence.
Brady Tkachuk’s presence on the ice can significantly impact games in the first round. For the Toronto Maple Leafs, implementing a strategy to their defensive approach that includes physicality, controlling the neutral zone, line matchups, disrupting power plays, and goaltending will be key to limiting his influence. With these strategies, the Leafs can shut down Tkachuk and make their trip to the second round easier.
