The game, quite frankly, had gone on far too long without Matthew Tkachuk putting his stamp on it.
In Game 1 against the Bruins it took just 11 minutes for the Panthers winger to open the series with a goal, albeit in a losing cause.
In his team’s bounce-back effort Thursday night, the mouthguard masher had been relatively quiet.
So, late in the evening he asked David Pastrnak to dance.
After the Bruins sniper was seen receiving permission from his coach to take Tkachuk up on his offer, they fought, establishing yet another sexy storyline as the teams head to Boston right where Tkachuk loves being: in the middle of it all.
During last year‘s run to the Stanley Cup Final, Tkachuk was the focal point of his Cinderella squad.
The 26-year-old unicorn finds ways to stay in the spotlight as one of the few players in the league armed with enough tools to turn a game with a goal, a slick setup, a hit, his mouth or simply a smirk.
One of the things that makes this series a must-watch is that the Bruins have an older, shorter unicorn who is also capable of shape-shifting into whatever type of game-changer the Bruins need.
Had Brad Marchand not been one of ten players handed game-ending misconducts minutes earlier, you can bet he and Tkachuk might have tangled during message-sending time.
And while neither have abandoned their rough-and-tumble roots, both players have come a long way in terms of their reputations as mere spit disturbers with talent.
They’re now both letter-wearing leaders of their clubs, drawing far more attention for their offence than their offensiveness.
No more licking an opponent’s face or offering up stinky-gloved chirps after every whistle, which used to be the sort of stuff they were known for.
While the two lads who sit tied for seventh in playoff scoring may forever see their penalty minutes sit slightly higher than their lofty point totals, they both deserve credit for evolving their game.
No one admires the transition they’ve made from super-pests to superstars more than the only other guy in the league armed with a toolbox as diverse as theirs: Brady Tkachuk.
“Matthew was almost underappreciated for playing one way, and it overshadowed the fact he brings way more to the table by being so smart offensively and defensively,” said Brady from his hotel in Bratislava, Slovakia, where the Senators star is preparing for the World Championship.
“I think there’s been a transition in many peoples’ eyes, but I don’t understand how almost everybody isn’t on board.
“He shows up at big moments and has changed the way the Panthers play the game.
“They love to play offence, and now their team is one of the better defensive teams in the NHL. I feel like he’s changed the culture and how they play and that doesn’t happen unless you are a superstar.”
As a fellow captain, who has spent plenty of time going toe-to-toe with Marchand in the Atlantic Division, Brady agrees Marchand has also grown into one of the game’s most complete players.
“Same thing with Marchand, his game is underappreciated for what he brings night-to-night,” said Brady.
“He’s been a consistent, 90 and 100-point player, and that’s not a fluke.
“Knowing and playing with guys who have played with him, they all speak highly of him and say he’s a great leader in how he approaches teammates and the team by saying the right things.
“I think there’s a lot of similarities between them, that they don’t get the appreciation for being Top 5 in their position in the world.”
Strong words from someone who knows how hard it is to play against both.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Marchand and the way he plays, and he’s been doing it consistently over his career,” said Brady, who sits near the top of the league in hits and fights, not to mention points.
“It’s always cool going up against special players like him and Matthew, who force their teammates to be at their best, and you have to be at your best to go up against.
“They’re the faces of their respective teams, and it starts with leadership.
“It’s hard to demand a lot from other guys when you’re not demanding a lot from yourself.”
Their father, Keith Tkachuk, would agree, as the rugged sniper was shown in the stands wearing a big smile, offering a thumbs up to nearby fans after Matthew’s scrap.
“For myself, that’s what you want, to make an impact on the game at the right time,” said Brady of his brother’s ability and desire to be known as a gamer who is always there when his team needs him.
“Being able to recognize and provide it and have the skillset to do that is a skill that every player can work on.
“With words or action.
“I expect that to be done.
“I’ve talked to Matthew after games where he said he didn’t feel that great but found a way to be physical or sharp defensively.
“He’s clutch. He shows up in the big moments and that’s what he wants his legacy to be.”
Marchand has won a Stanley Cup, marking the biggest difference between the two.
Tune in for Game 3 Friday to see what both will do next with an eye on hoisting it later this spring.
