Since Matthew Tkachuk’s injury sustained during the Four Nations tournament, his status has been unclear. NHL teams are notoriously guarded with players’ injury particulars, and the Panthers are no exception.
Paul Maurice has offered little detail about Tkachuk’s injury severity or timetable for return. The team has remained optimistic that he would be available for the postseason. That optimism seems to have been warranted as signs point toward Tkachuk’s return for Florida’s first playoff game Tuesday.
Tkachuk practiced with the team Saturday
The Panthers’ social media was abuzz Saturday after Tkachuk was a full participant at Practice.
This marks the first time since he was placed on LTIR that Tkachuk has practiced in full capacity. The team’s first-round matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning not starting until Tuesday gives Tkachuk a few more opportunities to work out with his teammates before real game action.
Tkachuk practiced on a line with Sam Bennett and Mackie Samoskevich. His return to the lineup gives Florida the potential to try some different line combinations with a complete roster. Fans have been clamoring for a Marchand-Bennett-Tkachuk line since the team traded for Marchand at the deadline. It remains to be seen if that trio will become a reality.
Coach Paul Maurice confirmed Tkachuk’s availability
Paul Maurice is among the NHL’s best at deflecting questions and dismissing speculations, while providing worthwhile insight. During media availability on Friday, Maurice kept the information vague, but some of his comments did give Cats fans hope. Here is what Maurice said in regards to the team’s health.
"“So there isn’t anybody that I would say that I know is not ready for Game 1. I think in the last two weeks, we had some guys’ minor groins, things like that, and we’ll hold them out of practice tomorrow unless they’re right there. Like, we’re not going to run them hard early in this to set anybody back. But everybody is possible from Game 1.”"Paul Maurice
Everybody includes Tkachuk and the long list of Panthers who have missed late-season games for precautionary reasons. Aleksander Barkov, Sam Bennett, Nico Sturm, and Carter Verhaeghe were all given games off late in the season, either for minor injuries or rest.
It was a bold move for the Panthers to make the conscience decision to rest players for the postseason at the expense of vying for the Atlantic Division title. However, this team has made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in two consecutive years. Once as a division winner, and once as a wild card.
Doing so shows that the team is capable of making a deep run, regardless of their seed. The Cats have played a ton of hockey over three seasons, and some rest is well-deserved.