Stanley Cup playoffs 2026: Brady Tkachuk, Jordan Staal fight 3 seconds into Game 1 of Senators-Hurricanes series

No fighting in the Stanley Cup playoffs? Apparently, no one told the Ottawa Senators’ Brady Tkachuk and Carolina Hurricanes’ Jordan Staal.

As the puck dropped for Game 1 of their first-round NHL playoff matchup, the two team captains dropped their gloves right after the opening faceoff and began tussling three seconds into the contest.

Tkachuk appeared to have the advantage initially, connecting with a couple of right-handed punches. But Staal shook off those blows and countered with an upper cut, then followed with a punch that knocked Tkachuk to the ice. From there, officials stepped in and separated the two captains.

Perhaps it’s a consolation that Tkachuk won the opening faceoff.

The remainder of the first period was relatively anti-climactic after that opening tussle with the Senators and Hurricanes tied 0-0. But Carolina took a 1-0 lead two minutes into the second period with Logan Stankoven scoring on a wrist shot.