Ice hockey is a tough sport where massive hits and fights are integral to the game. So it’s no secret that hockey players are a tough lot. Yet, even among a sea of tough athletes, Matthew Tkachuk‘s resilience outshines many fellow skaters. The 27-year-old, who’s built a reputation for delivering the hits, has also come back from some massive injuries. In fact, the US national team member sustained the injury during the 4 Nations Face-Off in February that threatened to shut down his season.

Yet, despite the shadow of uncertainty surrounding him for two months, the elder Tkachuk brother returned right on cue for Game 1 of the NHL playoffs. And it was one moment from a couple of years ago that convinced Panthers coach Paul Maurice to actually give the thumbs-up.

“I saw him play an incredibly smart game with a broken collarbone, and I think he had three of our best chances to score that night against Vegas two years ago. So he can adapt his game,” the head coach recalled while explaining his decision to let Matthew Tkachuk start against Tampa Bay. Yet that doesn’t mean the Panthers coach wasn’t worried.

After all, Game 1 marked the first step in a grueling 7-game series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The stakes were high, and Maurice knew tempers could fly at any moment. Take the match between Matthew’s brother, Brady Tkachuk‘s Ottawa Senators, vs. the Maple Leafs, for example. The two teams played an incredibly rough game, and things devolved into an all-out brawl.

So, Paul Maurice was worried, since Matthew Tkachuk isn’t known for maintaining composure in tense situations. “He hadn’t had a lot of practice time or a lot of battle time. It’s one thing to put a player back in their regular season, the playoffs are such a different animal. So I was watching very closely,” confessed the coach. In fact, he wasn’t the only one worried about Tkachuk.

Matthew Tkachuk had to wait till game day

The decision to get Tkachuk back on the ice didn’t just rest with coach Paul Maurice. Other factors were at play as the Panthers continued to monitor their captain’s recovery. Despite participating in practice for the last few weeks, the ice hockey icon needed to “get through the morning skate” on game day before getting the green light.

Thankfully, he did, and everyone, including the head and the medical team, cleared Matthew Tkachuk to make his 2025 NHL playoffs debut. So Maurice, although a bit tense, was glad to see his team captain return to the ice just when they needed him. After all, the 27-year-old had not played since February 8, and the Panthers didn’t look their best during the 25 matches he missed.

The Panthers went 13-11-1 during Tkachuk’s absence and, at one point, went on a five-match slide. While they did recover, the defending champions weren’t looking so hot during that stretch. Another crucial factor that played a role in Tkachuk’s return was the Battle of Florida. It’s been years since the fans saw the Lightning-Panthers rivalry play out in the playoffs.

So, Paul Maurice was hopeful that Matthew Tkachuk would be able to inspire with his leadership skills in this crucial series. Well, Maurice’s wish stands granted as the 27-year-old immediately made an impact, scoring two goals on his return. “Your leadership core are your leaders for a reason,” the Panthers’ head coach said about Tkachuk after they routed Tampa Bay 6-2 in the first match.

On the flip side, the captain himself was grateful to be back in action. The NHL forward couldn’t help Team USA in the 4 Nations final, but now he’s eager to lead his team to the Stanley Cup finals.