If Ottawa Senators' Brady Tkachuk suits up against the Montreal Canadiens, he’d better keep his head up, says Arber Xhekaj.

The 2024-25 NHL campaign is back underway after the Four Nations Face-Off came to an end on Thursday night. One of the stars of the tournament was Brady Tkachuk, and he has received a big injury update ahead of his return to the Ottawa Senators.

Per TSN 1200 Ottawa, Tkachuk (rest) will be a game-time decision versus Montreal on Saturday, according to coach Travis Green. Tkachuk is coming off a tough loss Thursday against Canada and may need the night off as the Senators next play Wednesday against the Jets.

Tkachuk (illness) scored a goal in Team USA's 3-2 overtime loss to Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game on Thursday. The goal came late in the first period, after the coach moved Auston Matthews between the Tkachuk brothers.

Norris and Pinto have been hurt since the beginning of the month and still can’t play. The Senators have lost four consecutive games without the latter two since Feb. 4, including when Pinto lasted under three minutes before leaving due to injury against the Tampa Bay Lightning that night.

Tkachuk (illness) was at morning skate and will be available for the United States in Thursday's showdown with Canada at the 4 Nations Face-off championship game, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports. Tkachuk is ready to go after missing practice Wednesday.

Tkachuk, who left Team USA's 2-1 loss to Sweden on Monday due to a lower-body injury, was absent from Wednesday's practice because of an illness, according to Scott McLaughlin of WEEI. Team USA coach Mike Sullivan still believes Tkachuk will play Thursday versus Canada.

Tkachuk (lower body) is slated to play in Thursday's 4 Nations Face-Off game versus Canada, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports. Tkachuk left Monday's 2-1 loss to Sweden at 5:12 of the first period after crashing into the Swedish net behind Samuel Ersson.

Won't return against Sweden

NHL insider Andy Strickland’s comments on Thursday's episode of "The Cam & Strick Podcast," where he suggested that Brady Tkachuk’s departure from Ottawa is inevitable sparked a wave of reactions and a heated debate on X.

Even though Team USA failed to complete their mission to win the 4 Nations Face-Off, Brady Tkachuk still came away with lots of memories he’ll treasure for the rest of his life. Not only was he able to don his country’s colors, but he also got to play alongside his brother and Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk.