Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk returns to play in Game 1 vs. Tampa Bay

TAMPA — The Florida Panthers have been without their biggest star for months, but he is returning at just the right moment.

Winger Matthew Tkachuk, who has been sidelined with a lower-body injury since the 4 Nations Face Off in February, played in Game 1 of Florida’s first-round playoff series against Tampa Bay on Tuesday night. The Panthers activated him from the long-term injured reserve before the game, and he was listed on the league’s online roster report. He warmed up with the team before the game.

“We can’t wait to see him back,” Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov said last week. “He’s a special, special player and special man.”

Tkachuk was a star during the Panthers’ run to the Stanley Cup last year, and he was a key contributor before his injury this season.

Although he missed the final 25 games of the regular season, he still ended the season with 22 goals, 35 assists and 57 points.

Tkachuk has been a crucial player during Florida’s past two playoff runs. He has 46 postseason points with the Panthers, which is third in franchise history. His 17 playoff goals are fourth in franchise history, and his 29 postseason assists are second in franchise history.

“Matthew’s strength, the obvious is his hands, but his emotional understanding of the game, when the team needs a bark, when it needs a funny line, when it needs a hit,” coach Paul Maurice said. “Whatever it needs, he has a great understanding. He just rarely makes a mistake on that. He can sense the game incredibly well, and those guys are very, very valuable on the road.”

The man everyone is waiting for. pic.twitter.com/CR60rWUuHa

— Adam Lichtenstein (@ABLichtenstein) April 23, 2025