2023-06-11 16:40:00
The Florida Panthers might go to the front without the services of Matthew Tkachuk for game 5 of the final which will be played on Tuesday.
The star player’s case is uncertain in a game that might end the 2022-23 season, as the Vegas Golden Knights lead 3-1 in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Tkachuk played 16 minutes and 40 seconds in Game 4 on Saturday night at Sunrise. The American did not seem in his usual form, he who only played four appearances in the third period.
“Obviously, we always want to be on the ice to play. I was only able to get in late and tried to do some magic, but we ran out of time,” Tkachuk said.
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice wouldn’t reveal what was affecting Tkachuk during the game and whether he will be there for the next game.
“We have two days to make the decision. We’ll rest and think regarding it,” he said following Saturday’s 3-2 loss.
What would it take for Tkachuk to miss the potential deciding game?
“That’s a good question, I don’t want to answer it right now,” said the winger, who leads the Panthers in points with 24 in the playoffs.
It was the second-lowest playing time for Tkachuk in this postseason. His lowest was the second game of the final where he amassed 22 penalty minutes.
He shot very little in warmups and lacked his usual speed in Game 4. Rumor has it that Tkachuk might feel the effects of Keegan Kolesar’s check in Game 3. The Panthers forward was pulled from the game in the first period for concussion testing.
Florida will try to close the gap in the series by visiting the Knights Tuesday night in Vegas for Game 5.
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