Giroux: 'Brady sucks!' chants a compliment to Tkachuk

The Toronto Maple Leafs' home crowd consistently serenaded Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk with "Brady sucks!" chants in Sunday's Game 1, but Ottawa linemate Claude Giroux doesn't view it as a bad thing.

"In my eyes, it's a compliment for Brady," Giroux said Tuesday, per The Athletic's Chris Johnston, noting his own experience as a Philadelphia Flyer in the Battle of Pennsylvania. "I mean, they don't do that if he actually sucks. I've gotten booed in Pittsburgh before and, I'll be honest, it was the best games to play."

Tim Stutzle, the third member of Ottawa's top line, agreed with Giroux.

"He's a good player. That's why they do it; they know he's a good player," Stutzle said, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox. "Everybody knows it. He's a really confident guy and knows what he has to do out there. So, I think it fires him up."

Tkachuk's playoff debut was a focal point leading into the series, particularly after his standout performance in the 4 Nations Face-Off. The 25-year-old was held off the scoresheet in Sunday's 6-2 loss but registered five shots, seven hits, and a minor penalty.

Tkachuk had 55 points in 72 regular-season games, missing much of the stretch run due to injury. Ottawa's in the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

Game 2 of the Battle of Ontario is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday.