Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Panthers Get Big Matthew Tkachuk Injury Update Before NHL Playoffs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Spencer Garrett Ostrow | Last updated Mar 31, 2025 1:05 PM ET

The Florida Panthers are locked in a tight three-way race for the Atlantic Division title alongside the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning. With less than 10 games remaining for each team, the Panthers currently sit in third place—tied on points with the Lightning and trailing the Maple Leafs by three. However, Toronto has played one more game.

Florida has been dealing with key injuries to Dmitry Kulikov and Matthew Tkachuk and the absence of Aaron Ekblad, who is suspended for Performance Enhancing Substances until Game 3 of the first-round playoff series.

Tkachuk was placed on long-term injured reserve with a groin injury suffered during the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

Since general manager Bill Zito used the available cap space taken up by Tkachuk at the NHL trade deadline, the Panthers star won’t be eligible to return until at least Game 1 of the playoffs. He hasn't appeared in a game for Florida since Feb. 8.

On Monday, the nine-year NHL veteran returned to the ice. He got some skating in alone before Panthers practice.

Matthew Tkachuk is doing some early skating before the #FlaPanthers’ practice this morning pic.twitter.com/EkryAnbjmX
— Jordan McPherson (@J_McPherson1126) March 31, 2025

The fact that he was back on the ice is a positive sign for Florida. While his recovery is progressing, head coach Paul Maurice noted that he's still "a ways" away from doing "some significant skates."

"You can do off-ice things to try and mitigate some of conditioning loss, but he is going to have to in some significant skates here, and I think we’re still a ways from that," Maurice said."

Despite not playing, Tkachuk and Kulikov will both travel to Montreal for the team's game against the Canadiens on Tuesday. Puck-drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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