Panthers-Senators was exactly the jolt of excitement the NHL needed

Josh Bennett argues that Brady Tkachuk's dramatic return to Ottawa provided an exciting, high-stakes rivalry matchup that the NHL should capitalize on and market heavily. Tkachuk, who forced an offseason trade from the Ottawa Senators to join his brother Matthew on the Florida Panthers, fully embraced a villain role in front of a hostile crowd at Canadian Tire Centre on October 21.

Although Tkachuk scored Florida's lone goal on a first-period power play, the Senators defeated the Panthers 5-1 to jump ahead of them into third place in the Atlantic Division. Bennett contends that the intense animosity and theatrical atmosphere made the game compelling viewing, creating an organic rivalry the league should showcase throughout their remaining regular-season meetings.