The Florida Panthers will oficially start their Stanley Cup championship defense in the NHL on April 22 when the puck drops in their series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ahead of a pivotal Game 1, head coach Paul Maurice dropped a firm admission, hinting at Matthew Tkachuk‘s return to the lineup.
Winning Game 1 of a Stanley Cup Playoff series is always significant, but it carries even more weight when the Panthers and Lightning square off. Set to clash for the fourth time in postseason history, the Battle of Florida — also known as the Sunshine State Showdown — has established a clear pattern: in each of their previous three matchups, the winner of the opening game has gone on to win the series.
Thus, recovering Tkachuk in time for the opening game at Amalie Arena on April 22 would be huge for the Cats. Although the Panthers face other key absences in their lineup, Tkachuk’s is by far the most gravitating, as the 27-year-old forward turns into a different beast come playoff time.
On that note, Paul Maurice delivered a concise statement — just six words — but they were more than enough to ignite hope in the Panthers’ locker room, as Tkachuk’s return looms closer.
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.
“Everyone is available for Game One,” Panthers head coach Paul Maurice told the media after the team’s practice on Thursday.
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Ready for battle
The Panthers closed out the regular season with a harsh 5-1 loss at the hands of the Lightning. However, the lineup they featured was far from the Cats’ A-team. Sparks will fy when Tampa and Florida meet on the ice on Tuesday, as both teams look to deliver a statement right off the gate.
“I think there’s a really healthy respect,” Maurice admitted. While defenseman Gustav Forsling set the table for a heated showdown. “You know it’s going to be fire first game,” he said.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree
Aleksander Barkov has seen firsthand the fire in Matthew Tkachuk’s eyes when the Stanley Cup Playoffs get underway. As the Panthers hope to count with Matthew in their lineup for Game 1, and Maurice’s comments indicate as much, Barkov made something clear about the Tkachuk brothers.
Brady Tkachuk #7 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Washington Capitals during the first period at Capital One Arena on March 03, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Brady, the captain for the Ottawa Senators, will be getting his first taste of playoff hockey in his career, as the Sens clash with their Ontarian counterparts, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“There’s no one like Matthew Tkachuk… well, his brother [Brady Tkachuk],” Barkov said, per Jameson Olive on X.
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If the Panthers and Senators both get past their state and province rivals, Matthew’s Florida and Brady’s Ottawa would clash in the second round. It’d be an electric matchup for sure — though the older brother might not be too eager to face his fiercely competitive younger sibling.
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“If we both win, we’ll meet in the second round. I guess we just got to take care of our own business, and make that happen,” Matthew admitted. “That’d be really cool for the whole family, but I will say it’s a lot more fun playing with him, than it is against him. I’m not neccesarily looking forward to go up against him in the playoffs. It would not be fun. I’m definitely not going to poke the bear before, if there’s any chance we play him.”
