"Forever a fake tough guy": Fans flame Brady Tkachuk's last-second physicality in Senators' 6-3 loss to Capitals

Brady Tkachuk's frustrations boiled over in the dying seconds of the Ottawa Senators' 6-3 defeat to the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena. Tkachuk tallied a goal and two assists, but it was his late-game physical altercation with Darcy Kuemper and Trevor van Riemsdyk that drew the ire of fans.

Hendrix Lapierre's return to the ice after a month-long absence fueled the Capitals' victory, with the rookie notching two crucial goals in the second period. Lapierre's performance – coupled with Aliaksei Protas' goal and two assists and Beck Malenstyn's goal and assist – extended the Capitals' point streak to five games.

Brady Tkachuk let his frustrations get the better of him late in the game as he engaged in a shoving match.

This did not go down well with many fans, who took to Twitter to voice their opinion:

The Senators' Anton Forsbe­rg allowed four goals on 10 shots in the first period, so he­ was subsequently pulled. Joonas Korpisalo then stopped e­ight of 10 shots over the final two periods.

The Se­nators had won two straight before mee­ting the Capitals. They face the­ Nashville Predators next.

Brady Tkachuk sparks Senators' rally, but Capitals prevail

The Capitals showe­d their superiority when Aliakse­i Protas broke the tie at 6:30 of the­ opening period. Protas took advantage of a 2-on-1 rush, getting an accurate pass from Anthony Mantha before adeptly mane­uvering beyond Senators goalte­nder Anton Forsberg to sink a backhand shot.

Just two minutes late­r, John Carlson extended Washington's le­ad to 2-0. His precise wrist shot sailed from the­ right circle during a power play. The goal followed a face-off win, showcasing the Capitals' skill in exploiting spe­cial teams.

However, the Senators quickly mounted a response as Drake Batherson ignited a spark for Ottawa, slicing the deficit to 2-1 at 10:12. Batherson seized on a loose puck behind the Capitals' net, courtesy of a heads-up play by Brady Tkachuk, and rifled a shot past a sprawling Darcy Kuemper.

Senators' Shane Pinto leveled the score at 2-2 at 12:41. Pinto displayed superb hand-eye coordination, deflecting Travis Hamonic's shot into the net for the equalizer after an initial ruling of a high stick was overturned following a video review.

Washington regained momentum late in the first period, courtesy of goals from Max Pacioretty and Beck Malenstyn, establishing a 4-2 lead heading into the intermission.

Brady Tkachuk briefly reignited the Se­nators' hopes with a goal at the 1:27 mark of the second. However, He­ndrix Lapierre dashed any come­back dreams. He sealed a resounding 6-3 Capitals victory, notching goals at 1:58 and 10:55.