The Ottawa Senators have lost their last six straight games, and captain Brady Tkachuk is bearing the brunt of the team's struggles on his shoulders.
Following their 6-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night, Tkachuk was forthcoming with his feelings to reporters.
"It's hard to look at positives right now," said Tkachuk. "It's a pretty s----- feeling, don't think I've ever felt worse in my life. It's not fun right now."
The Senators fired head coach D.J. Smith on Monday, following their 6-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights the day before. He was replaced on an interim basis by Jacques Martin, while Daniel Alfredsson was appointed as an assistant. The new bench duo has yet to earn their first win after two games.
"...It kinda starts with me as a leader," Tkachuk added. "I've got to do a better job. Individually I'm not there, I'm not playing where I need to be playing. I feel like it's trickling down. It's on me as the guy in charge, as a leader, to do a better job. It's unfortunate. I've got to find a way to do a better job and help this team win."
The Senators are 11-17-0 on the season and sit last in the Atlantic Division, last in the Eastern Conference and 30th in the league.
Though he has 21 points in 28 games, Tkachuk has recorded just two points over the last eight games.
The club wraps up their five-game road trip without a single point and face the Pittsburgh Penguins at home next on Saturday, seeking to turn the tide and regain momentum in front of their home crowd.
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