Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers are known around the NHL for their unapologetic playstyle. Tkachuk’s Team USA teammate and Tampa Bay Lightning star Jake Guentzel knows that. Still, the winger recently admitted he expected an apology from Tkachuk for a late hit during the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Panthers-Lightning rivalry is one that continues to grow season after season in the NHL. The two powerhouses in the Sunshine State have grown used to facing one another in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in recent years. The 2025 postseason was no exception. Tkachuk and the Cats had the last laugh, defeating the Bolts in five games.
There was no shortage of tension and fireworks in a real-life, no-holds-barred type of matchup. Former teammates turned to enemies and no one was safe skating around the ice in Sunrise and Tampa. Such was the case for Guentzel, who was steamrolled by Tkachuk on a late hit in Game 3.
No regrets
It was more of a retaliation for Tampa’s Brandon Hagel hit on Aleksander Barkov, than a personal grudge from Tkachuk on fellow Team USA forward Guentzel. Still, the latter expected to hear an apology from the two-time Stanley Cup champ. Such a message never arrived, and Guentzel hasn’t forgotten.
“No, he didn’t text me [afterwards to apologize],” Jake Guentzel admitted in dialogue with the Cam and Strick podcast. “We didn’t talk, he plays hard, he plays on the edge, and it’s what it is. Both hits were late hits.”
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See you in February
As Team USA announced its roster for the Olympic Orientation Camp in late August, Guentzel received an invitation. The Stanley Cup champ with the Pittsburgh Penguins had made the team for the 4 Nations, so his name being on the list wasn’t a surprise.
Jake Guentzel of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates a goal against the Florida Panthers at Amalie Arena.
However, Tkachuk won’t be attending the Orientation Camp. Not because he hasn’t earned his place on the team, but because he is unable to participate due to injury.
After tearing an adductor muscle and suffering a sports hernia injury, Tkachuk is contemplating having surgery which would sideline him for a couple of months. Even if he doesn’t undergo surgery, he isn’t expected to be on the ice when the Panthers kickstart the 2025-26 NHL season on October 7 against the Chicago Blackhawks.
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Still, the American hero is expected to be back in full capacity when the 2026 Olympics come around in February. By then, Guentzel and Team USA will hope to have him in Milano as the Stars and Stripes vie to strike gold in Italy.
