- Tim Stutzle skipped dinner with Brady Tkachuk before the Panthers winger’s return to Ottawa
- His explanation: “I have a chef at home”
- Read below for the video and how Stutzle played in the 5-1 win
Tim Stutzle had a simple excuse for not sitting down to dinner with Brady Tkachuk.
The Senators center was asked about skipping dinner with his former captain the night before Tkachuk’s return to Ottawa. His answer was short and a little sly.
Stutzle talked to reporters after Wednesday’s morning skate.
“I haven’t seen him,” Stutzle said. “I mean, I have a chef at home, so I didn’t go for dinner. Yeah, but I didn’t see him.”
Watch Stutzle’s answer on the Spittin’ Chiclets clip:
The German star has stayed measured on the Tkachuk trade all year. At the NHL/NHLPA European Player Media Tour in August, Stutzle was asked about the departure and told The Hockey News that Ottawa would miss him but had to focus on what was ahead.
The scene inside Canadian Tire Centre was anything but measured. Fans booed Tkachuk before puck drop, and we broke down every chant Ottawa threw at him. Tkachuk scored in the first period, but the night belonged to the home side.
Stutzle tied the game 1-1 with a power-play one-timer at 14:13 of the first, set up by Jake Sanderson. He added an assist on Stephen Halliday’s goal late, and the Senators beat Florida 5-1.
That power-play goal was Stutzle’s 38th in the NHL, which ties Jochen Hecht for third-most by a German player.
So Stutzle didn’t need dinner with Tkachuk to have a good night. He got a goal, an assist and the two points.
