Matthew Tkachuk has been somewhat quiet on the ice during the Stanley Cup Playoffs series between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs. After missing 30 games in the NHL regular season due to a lower-body injury, there are concerns the star forward may not be playing at full capacity. On that note, Tkachuk voiced a firm, five-word statement.
The Panthers barely skated away with a 5-4 victory at Amerant Bank Arena in Game 3, escaping the prospect of falling in a 0-3 hole in the playoff matchup with the Maple Leafs. Still, the job is far from finished as they must repeat that success in Game 4 to even the series.
NHL players are known for battling through injuries in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and Tkachuk is no stranger to that, either. Tkachuk played through a broken sternum during the Panthers’ 2022-23 postseason run, which ended in a Stanley Cup Final defeat against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Tkachuk admitted he needed help getting dressed and his brother and Ottawa Senators captain, Brady Tkachuk, was at his side assisting him. Thus, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to learn Matthew is playing with lingering issues from his lower-body injury sustained in February during the 4 Nations.
Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers celebrates after Florida’s 2-1 victory against the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 24, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida.
However, the 27-year-old star in Sunrise, Florida delivered an honest confession about his health to his teammates and fans, as Florida vies to even the series against Toronto.
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“I am physically feeling great,” Matthew Tkachuk stated on the eve of Game 4, as reported by Jameson Olive on his X account. “I’m happy to be out there with the guys. There’s nothing better.”
Physical series
The Panthers are coming off consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2023 and 2024, hoping to achieve back-to-back championships under the guidance of Paul Maurice.
Head coach Paul Maurice of the Florida Panthers speaks to the media during Media Day prior to the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 07, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida.
Prior to their recent deep postseason runs, Florida had won just one playoff series in 24 years. Now, the Panthers are a wagon—arguably the team that best exemplifies what playoff hockey is all about. The Cats don’t shy away from contact and are willing to go the extra mile to make their presence felt on the ice. It takes a toll on them—but even more so on their opponents.
“I don’t know if we’re wearing them down or anything like that,” Tkachuk said. “We play a certain style that’s hard to play and hard to play against. It’s no secret we try to put everything in and try to be physical.
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“Over the course of a series if you continue to do that shift after shift, it’s human nature you’re going to wear down. We just have to keep up with it. They’re doing a good job as well. It’s just playoff hockey, at the end of the day.”
