Brady Tkachuk returns to Ottawa Senators practice with playoffs on horizon

File photo: Brady Tkachuk took part in his first full skate with the Ottawa Senators on Monday after missing his seventh straight game. Will the first-round opponents be Morgan Rielly, Auston Matthews and the rest of the Toronto Maple Leafs? All the Leafs need is one point against Buffalo on Tuesday night to lock up top spot in the Atlantic Division. Photo by Frank Gunn /The Canadian PressArticle content

If you were looking for a good sign that the Ottawa Senators will have their captain ready to lead them into a prospective playoff Battle of Ontario, there was a strong one on Monday.

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Brady Tkachuk took part in his first full skate with the Senators at the Bell Sensplex after he missed his seventh straight game in the club’s 4-3 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday.

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He won’t face the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday in the second-to-last regular-season home game at the Canadian Tire Centre, but there is little doubt now that Tkachuk will be ready for Game 1 of the playoffs.

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Tkachuk wore a grey non-contact jersey.

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“I do,” coach Travis Green stated matter-of-factly when asked if he expected Tkachuk to be ready for the first game of the post-season.

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“It’s not a surprise to us. We figured he would be able to practise today. I thought he looked good,” Green added. “He has to (practise). If you want to be on top of your game after you’ve been out — he’s no different than any other player — you’ve got to come back and get some practice time.

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“He’s skated on his own for a bit now. It’s good to get him with the group. I thought he looked sharp.”

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Tkachuk hasn’t suited up since he took a hit from Pittsburgh’s Ryan Graves on March 30 on the road. He was a full participant in the skate and part of every drill, which is a good sign.

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“It’s great,” said winger Drake Batherson. “It’s been a while, but he was flying, he has lots of energy, so we know when he comes back, that’s what he’s going to bring.

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“And it’s always nice to see your captain and leader out there for sure.”

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Tkachuk told his teammates they’d notice him out there.

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“It’s nice. He’s been dealing with a lot lately, so it’s nice to get him out there,” said winger Ridly Greig. “It’s probably better for him skating with the team than alone. It sucks skating alone.

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“Today, he was probably the hardest working guy out there, and that’s what he told me before practice. He’s got a lot of energy, and we’re looking forward to that.”

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At this point, the only decision the Senators need to make is whether it’s worth playing Tkachuk in Thursday’s visit by the Carolina Hurricanes or waiting until the club opens the first round on Sunday.