BREAKING: Panthers Get Unfortunate Matthew Tkachuk News After 4 Nations Face-Off
Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk played a key role in Team USA’s run to the championship game at the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off, finishing as one of the tournament’s top scorers alongside his brother, Brady Tkachuk. Both players made headlines during their round-robin matchup against Canada when they dropped the gloves in separate fights just nine seconds into the first period after Canadian fans booed the “Star Spangled Banner.”
This season, Matthew Tkachuk is second on the Panthers in both goals (22) and points (57) behind center Sam Reinhart. However, the team will have to cope without him for a bit, as he’s unlikely to play in the upcoming game against the Seattle Kraken on Saturday due to a lower-body injury. Panthers head coach Paul Maurice provided an update, stating, “My expectation is that he won’t be playing tomorrow,” adding that a clearer picture would emerge by Saturday. Tkachuk’s injury, which he sustained during the 4 Nations tournament, limited him in Team USA’s final two games, and he played just 6:47 in Thursday’s 3-2 overtime loss to Canada—the second-fewest minutes among American forwards.
Brady Tkachuk expressed concern after the game, noting, “Obviously, he battles through absolutely everything, and, yeah, I don’t think it’s too good,” while adding that Matthew was disappointed by the situation.