NHL Playoffs Start with Tkachuk-Staal Faceoff Fight

Team USA star Brady Tkachuk drops gloves with Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal in opening seconds of playoff game

Apr. 19, 2026 at 12:51am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the opening faceoff fight between two hockey players, their bodies and equipment broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and form.The opening faceoff fight between Team USA star Brady Tkachuk and Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal set an intense tone for the start of the NHL playoff series.NYC Today

The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs began with a bang as Team USA hockey star Brady Tkachuk immediately dropped the gloves with Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal as soon as the puck dropped to start their first-round matchup. This is not the first time Tkachuk has fought at the opening faceoff, having done so twice earlier this season against New York Islanders captain Anders Lee.

Why it matters

Tkachuk has become a fan favorite for his physical, aggressive style of play, and his willingness to drop the gloves at the start of games has only added to his reputation as a tough, gritty player. The opening faceoff fight between the two captains set an intense tone for the playoff series between the Senators and Hurricanes.

The details

As the players took the ice to begin the game, Tkachuk appeared to ask Staal if he wanted to fight, and Staal agreed. The two players then immediately dropped the gloves and engaged in a brief but intense fight. This is the third time this season that Tkachuk has fought at the opening faceoff, having done so twice earlier against New York Islanders captain Anders Lee.

  • The fight occurred as soon as the puck dropped to start the playoff game between the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes on April 19, 2026.

The players

Brady Tkachuk

A forward for the Ottawa Senators and a star player on the U.S. men's national hockey team, known for his physical, aggressive style of play.

Jordan Staal

The captain of the Carolina Hurricanes, who engaged in the fight with Tkachuk at the opening faceoff.

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What’s next

The Senators and Hurricanes will continue their first-round playoff series, with the winner advancing to the next round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The takeaway

Brady Tkachuk's willingness to drop the gloves at the opening faceoff has become a trademark of his physical, aggressive style of play, and his fight with Jordan Staal set an intense tone for the start of the Senators-Hurricanes playoff series. Tkachuk's reputation as a tough, gritty player has made him a fan favorite, and his fight-filled start to the playoffs is sure to only add to his legend.