“I mean, it feels amazing,” said Matthew Tkachuk, who had not played an NHL game since sustaining a serious injury during the 4 Nations Face-Off after Game 1 of Round 1 against Tampa Bay. “I felt good going into that game and felt that I could give a great effort,” said the Panthers alternate captain after scoring two goals on the night he returned. A lot has transpired since the fateful game in April.

With 8 goals and 15 assists since the playoffs started, Tkachuk led his team to the ultimate NHL prize for a second year in a row. And shortly after lifting the Stanley Cup above his head, two years in a row now, Tkachuk revealed the true extent of the injuries and how they nearly forced him to miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs entirely. Frank Seravalli gave the gnarly details of the adversity the 27-year-old had to overcome.

“Matthew Tkachuk says he tore the adductor off the bone and was dealing with a hernia on the same side of his body,” said the NHL insider. “Wasn’t sure if he would be able to play to start these playoffs,” added Seravalli. His admission after the win checks out because Matthew Tkachuk playing in the playoffs was very much on the ropes.

Here’s a refresher if you forgot what head coach Paul Maurice said about Tkachuk playing Game 1 against Tampa Bay. “He’s got to get through the morning skate tomorrow,” Maurice told the media, while the Cats’ medical team continued to monitor Matthew Tkachuk. Yet, winning the Stanley Cup after overcoming such a massive injury only made it sweeter.

“Tkachuk says grinding through all that makes this Stanley Cup more rewarding,” concluded Frank Seravalli. And guess what? This isn’t the first time Matthew Tkachuk has managed a serious injury while playing at the highest level. Coach Maurice recalled how his confidence in the team’s alternate captain became unshakable during their series against Vegas in 2023.

“He played about 12 minutes the first night and played them because he played a game with a broken collarbone,” Coach Maurice recalled ahead of Game 6. That being said, the 27-year-old felt absolutely ready for what turned out to be the final game of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final.

Matthew Tkachuk felt renewed ahead of Game 6

The Florida Panthers star opened up about his struggles during the first round during media availability ahead of Game 6. “The first round was definitely the worst I felt, by far, and just knowing that was going to be — other than this round — that was our toughest round,” Tkachuck explained. Maybe that explains why the forward also had a period of muted performance in the series.

After all, Matthew Tkachuk didn’t score a single goal since his 2025 playoff debut against Tampa Bay, until Game 2 of the ECF against Carolina. Regardless, the NHL forward felt “proud” of himself and the team for carving their way all the way to the finals. “Personally, I’m very happy with where the health is and everything and just very lucky that I’m able to be playing,” he said ahead of Game 6 against the Oilers.

That confidence in his health translated to yet another stellar performance and a goal in the Cats’ Stanley Cup-winning performance. And in signature Tkachuk style, the Florida Panthers captain gave the credit to his team. “I’m very lucky and fortunate that I’ve got great trainers and doctors, and they somehow got me healthy enough to play,” the now two-time Stanley Cup champ said.

When all was said and done, Matthew Tkachuk, despite managing his injury, scored 8 goals, notched 15 assists, and scored 23 points in 23 games on the defending champions’ road to retaining the Stanley Cup. So, how did you react to the 27-year-old’s admission? Tell us in the comments.