FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Florida Panthers will assess Matthew Tkachuk`s condition on Tuesday morning to determine his availability for the playoff opener that night. His participation remains uncertain.
Tkachuk, absent from Panthers games since February 8 and sidelined since the 4 Nations Face-Off two months prior due to a lower-body injury, practiced with the Stanley Cup champions on Monday. This marked his second on-ice session in three days.
The Panthers are waiting to see how Tkachuk fares in Tuesday`s morning skate before making a final call on whether he will play in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round series against Tampa Bay.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice stated after Monday`s practice, “He needs to get through the morning skate tomorrow. We are still monitoring his recovery after practice. He practiced fully, staying until the end. We will evaluate how he feels tomorrow. If he feels well and clears the morning skate, he will play.”
Tkachuk sustained his injury during the second game of the 4 Nations tournament and attempted to play in the final against Canada. However, he did not take any shifts in the third period or overtime of that game.
Subsequently, the Panthers placed Tkachuk on long-term injured reserve. He missed the final 25 regular-season games but still ranked third on the team with 57 points, including 22 goals and 35 assists. He also held second place on the Panthers with 11 power-play goals this season.
The decision appears to be between his readiness for Game 1 or Game 2. Maurice suggested that the two-day gap before the second game on Thursday could be beneficial.
Maurice added, “We are at a point where considering two more days is viable if we believe he is close to being ready. We will rely on the medical staff and Matthew`s assessment to guide our decision.”
Tristan Blackwood