Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk was quite the cheerleader for Matthew's Calgary Flames during last season's playoffs but won't be doing the same for his brother's new team this spring.

"Unfortunately, the Florida (Panthers) faithful will not be experiencing my presence," he said during a recent appearance on the "Got Yer Back" podcast. "You know, it's different now – same division, it's just a different vibe this year with us. We were so close.

"Last year, we were out pretty early in February, and we weren't really expected to be there, either. It's usually my downtime, too. … I might be in Florida, but I'm definitely not going to any of their games."

The Panthers had to scratch and claw for their spot in the playoffs after winning the Presidents' Trophy last season. They officially clinched their ticket Tuesday after the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres lost their respective games against the Chicago Blackhawks and New Jersey Devils.

The Senators were eliminated from playoff contention last Thursday following a 7-2 loss to the Panthers.