Brady Tkachuk’s latest update keeps Senators fans on edge

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk has gone down with a hand injury, and fans are expecting the worst when it comes to a timetable for a return to action.

But now, somehow, there is a glimmer of hope.

On Wednesday, Senators owner Micheal Andlauer, who was attending the Board of Governors meeting in New York City, told reporters that Tkachuk was here in NYC today getting a second opinion on his injury and should know tomorrow whether surgery is required.

Tkachuk got injured on Monday when Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi slammed him with a cross-check from behind, causing him to go awkwardly into the boards.

As soon as he was back on his feet, Tkachuk was irate, possibly a telling sign that he knew it was a significant injury right away. He continued playing but didn’t end up getting a shift in the last nine minutes of the game.

According to Senators head coach Travis Green, Tkachuk is expected to be out “a significant amount of time,” or, more specifically, a minimum of four weeks.

And now, with Andlauer’s update, we will know if surgery is required, and if that’s the case, let’s not forget how Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman suffered a similar injury and had to undergo surgery in May and won’t return until November.

Fans in Ottawa are probably holding their breath until tomorrow’s update.