Senators' Brady Tkachuk gets slashing penalty while sitting on bench

Tkachuk was penalized for slashing while not even on the ice against the Sabres.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:50am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey player sitting on the bench and swinging his stick, the action broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and form.An unusual penalty for a player not even on the ice underscores the unpredictable nature of hockey and the need for composure.Buffalo Today

In a bizarre incident, Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk was assessed a two-minute minor penalty for slashing while sitting on the bench during Thursday's game against the Buffalo Sabres. Despite the early penalty, the Senators went on to win the game 4-1, spoiling the Sabres' first chance to clinch a playoff spot.

Why it matters

Tkachuk is one of the Senators' top players, and this unusual penalty could have impacted the team's performance. However, the Senators were still able to secure the victory, showcasing their resilience and depth despite the strange circumstances.

The details

In the second period of the game, Tkachuk was sitting on the bench when he was caught on camera swinging his stick and making contact with the face of Sabres player Beck Malenstyn. The officials immediately assessed Tkachuk a two-minute minor penalty for slashing, a highly unusual call given that he was not even on the ice at the time.

  • The incident occurred in the second period of the April 2, 2026 game between the Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres.

The players

Brady Tkachuk

A forward for the Ottawa Senators who was penalized for slashing while sitting on the bench.

Beck Malenstyn

A player for the Buffalo Sabres who was struck in the face by Tkachuk's stick while Tkachuk was on the bench.

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What they’re saying

“Brady Tkachuk just got a 2-minute slashing minor while SITTING ON THE BENCH 😳 He caught Beck Malenstyn in the face with the buttend of his stick 🫣”

— Gino Hard

What’s next

The NHL is expected to review the incident and determine if any further disciplinary action is warranted against Tkachuk for the unusual penalty.

The takeaway

This bizarre penalty highlights the unpredictable nature of hockey and the importance of players maintaining their composure, even when not actively participating in the game. The Senators were able to overcome the early setback and secure the victory, demonstrating the team's resilience.