Matthew Tkachuk made his long-awaited return to the Florida Panthers’ lineup, but let’s be honest - it didn’t exactly go according to script.
Yes, Tkachuk is finally back after missing the entire season up to this point, and that’s a big win for a Panthers team clinging to playoff hopes. But in his first game back, it was San Jose defenseman Vincent Desharnais who stole the spotlight.
Desharnais didn’t just make his presence felt - he put together a full highlight reel in one night. He scored a goal, delivered a crushing open-ice hit on Tkachuk, and even dropped the gloves with him - and won.
That’s a hat trick of impact plays, and it set the tone in a 4-1 Sharks win.
For Tkachuk, it wasn’t the kind of return he or the Panthers were hoping for. With just 34 games left in the regular season, Florida doesn’t have a lot of time to ease him back into the mix. They need him firing on all cylinders - and soon.
That said, there’s no need to hit the panic button. Getting Tkachuk back in the lineup is a major step forward, even if the first game didn’t come with fireworks.
After all, it’s going to take time for him to shake off the rust and get back up to game speed, especially in a lineup that’s been in flux due to injuries all year. And with the Winter Olympics looming - where Tkachuk is slated to suit up for Team USA - it’s possible we won’t see peak Tkachuk until March.
And that’s okay. The Panthers have managed to stay in the playoff conversation without him.
Despite sitting seventh in the Atlantic Division, Florida’s 53 points (25-20-3) have them just four points back of Buffalo for the final wild-card spot in the East. The Sabres are red-hot right now, so Florida’s margin for error is razor-thin.
If they’re going to keep pace, they’ll need a spark - and Tkachuk is the most likely candidate to provide it.
The good news? Florida has a bit of runway to get him going.
The team has a brief break before heading out on a three-game road trip through Winnipeg, Minnesota, and Chicago. That’s three chances to get Tkachuk some reps, build chemistry, and start finding his rhythm again.
Then it’s back home on January 27th for a matchup with the Utah Mammoth - a key date on the calendar that could mark a turning point in the season.
There’s more help on the way, too. Brad Marchand, who’s been sidelined with an undisclosed injury, is reportedly close to returning.
Head coach Paul Maurice noted that Marchand has been practicing without a non-contact jersey, which usually signals a return is imminent. If he’s back by the Utah game, the Panthers could finally ice something close to their full-strength lineup.
And that’s where things get interesting. With Tkachuk and Marchand both healthy and contributing, this Panthers squad starts to resemble the one that captured back-to-back Stanley Cups. That kind of experience and firepower is dangerous - especially in a playoff race where every point matters and every shift counts.
But make no mistake: it starts with Tkachuk. Without him and Aleksander Barkov, Florida’s offense has been stuck in neutral.
The team has hovered around the middle or lower end of the league in key scoring categories, a noticeable step back from last year’s more dynamic attack. Tkachuk’s return gives them a chance to change that narrative.
For the Panthers, the time to make a push is now. The window is narrow, the competition is fierce, and the margin for error is slim.
But if Tkachuk can rediscover his form and lead the charge, there’s no reason this team can’t make another deep run. He’s done it before - and if Florida’s going to climb back into the playoff picture, he may have to do it again.