Matthew Tkachuk Injury Update: ESPN's Kevin Weekes confirms Florida Panthers forward set to come back for Stanley Cup playoffs

Based on the latest report from ESPN commentator Kevin Weekes , Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk might return in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs . The 27-year-old winger has been out since February with a lower-body injury that he picked up during the 4 Nations Face-Off , depriving the Florida Panthers of one of their most important scoring weapons during the last stretch of the regular season.

Kevin Weekes says Matthew Tkachuk is expected to play in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, barring setbacks


Matthew Tkachuk's absence has been felt keenly on and off the ice, but with playoffs just days away, fans had been holding their collective breath waiting for any word regarding his status. And now, as the Florida Panthers look to make another postseason push, that long-awaited word at last arrived—on good terms.

Veteran NHL insider and ESPN analyst Kevin Weekes broke the news that Matthew Tkachuk is leaning towards a return for the Florida Panthers for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The news, first disseminated by Kevin Weekes and built upon by Florida-centric podcast ‘Panther Pourri’, has renewed hope among fans, especially after comments from head coach Paul Maurice, where he stated Matthew Tkachuk's return is ‘a ways away’.

That pronouncement is a huge vote of confidence for Florida Panthers supporters who have watched Matthew Tkachuk skate on his own but still be nowhere to be found at the team's practices. The franchise's face man has been given medical guidance not only from team doctors but also doctors abroad, suggesting his determination to be in top form when the playoffs continue.

Florida Panthers aim to bring momentum into another deep run in the playoffs

The Florida Panthers have already qualified for the playoffs and are riding high on confidence after dominating the previous two seasons. They have won seven of their previous eight playoff series since their record Stanley Cup championship victory, and now they are only one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning, with a probable first-round rematch looming ahead.

With five games remaining in the regular season, including a season finale in Tampa Bay on April 15, the Panthers are battling for position with a comfortable cushion in the Wild Card 1 spot—four points ahead of the Ottawa Senators. The 2025 Stanley Playoffs begin on April 19, and short of some unexpected setback, Matthew Tkachuk should be healthy and ready to resume driving the playoffs in which he excelled last spring.

Also read: Mathew Tkachuk injury update: Florida Panthers remain confident as they await the star forward’s return
With fans counting down the clock to the start of play, all eyes are still on Matthew Tkachuk's return. If the latest news is correct, the Florida Panthers are receiving their game-solver just in time for what is shaping up to be another heated Florida-Tampa playoff series.