Matthew Tkachuk Poised for Return as Panthers Face Sharks in Game 48
After months of recovery and anticipation, it looks like the Florida Panthers are about to get a major boost. Matthew Tkachuk, one of the team’s emotional and offensive leaders, is expected to return to the lineup tonight against the San Jose Sharks.
Tkachuk has been sidelined since undergoing surgery on August 22 to repair both a torn adductor and a sports hernia-injuries he initially sustained nearly a year ago during the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off. That setback forced him to miss the final 25 games of last season’s regular campaign. But in true Tkachuk fashion, he battled through the pain to suit up for Game 1 of the playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
He didn’t just show up-he showed out. Tkachuk tallied two goals and an assist in that postseason opener and went on to tie for the team lead in scoring with 23 points in 23 playoff games. His gritty performance became a rallying point for a team chasing its second Stanley Cup.
Reflecting on his decision to delay surgery and push through the postseason, Tkachuk admitted recently that it wasn’t an easy road.
“My patience has been tested a lot,” he said two weeks ago in Sunrise. “But I guess it’s kind of what I signed up for by making the decision late February, early March by riding it out. Ultimately knowing - I’m sure I lied, fibbed to you guys a few times in the spring, saying I probably won’t need surgery - but I knew in the back of my mind that it was ultimately going to happen.”
Now, after months of rehab and a long road back, Tkachuk is skating with the team again-and not just in a no-contact jersey. On Monday morning, he took regular line rushes during the morning skate, skating alongside Mackie Samoskevich and Evan Rodrigues. And with his father, NHL great Keith Tkachuk, watching from the stands, the signs are all pointing toward a long-awaited return to game action.
If he does play tonight, it comes at a pivotal point in the season. Florida is entering Game No. 48, hosting a Sharks team that already holds a 1-0 lead in the season series after a 3-1 win back on November 8 in San Jose. But historically, the Panthers have had the upper hand in this matchup, leading the all-time regular season series 25-14-1, with seven ties.
The Panthers, who blanked the Sharks 2-0 last season, will look to even this year’s series at home inside Amerant Bank Arena. Puck drops at 6 p.m. ET.
Panthers vs. Sharks - Game Info
- When: Monday, 6 p.m. ET
- Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
- TV: Scripps Sports - WSFL 39 (Miami/Ft.
Lauderdale), WHDT 9 (West Palm Beach), LAFF 36.3 (Southwest Florida)
- Streaming: Panthers+, ESPN+
- Radio: WQAM 560, WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach), WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys), SiriusXM (Channel 932, NHL App)
What’s Next: After tonight’s home tilt, the Panthers hit the road to face the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.
With Tkachuk potentially back in the mix, the Panthers could be getting more than just a top-line winger-they’re getting their heartbeat back.