What a strange season Matthew Tkachuk has had! After starring for his team last season and helping them to the Stanley Cup title, the 27-year-old hasn’t had the best of times this season. Earlier this year, he suffered a groin injury, which kept him away from a majority of the 4 Nations Face-Off and the subsequent regular season games in the NHL. Despite making a timely comeback, the Panthers’ star has struggled to score freely in the playoffs and hasn’t reached the heights we’re used to seeing from him. Amidst this, the Panthers’ coach, Paul Maurice, gave an assuring take on Tkachuk.

Tkachuk made his injury comeback right in time for the playoffs, with his first game back being game 1 against the Lightning. Having been out with an injury for over two months, Tkachuk started well, scoring 3 goals in 3 games. But then came the 10 game drought and all the questions about his condition and fitness heading into the postseason. However, things changed in game 2 of the Eastern Conference final when Tkachuk finally broke the streak, scoring his team’s game winning OT goal. But even with his struggles, Maurice values all the extra stuff he brings to the team as well.

During an interview after Game 2 against the Hurricanes, Maurice said, “He is a leader. We’re playing a game was in Minsk So I’m I’m reaching to come back to the answer here on this one but Troy Brower was a guy. And we were playing it was at the World Championships, and we weren’t very good early in that game and he figured that out on the bench and went out and took a long run at a guy and it changed the game.”

Further, he went on to add, “It it changed everything He didn’t say anything he just went out and did it and we needed it. And I thought that guy knows he can feel he can feel what a game needs. And Matthew uh has that ability. And it’s not it’s not always the the hit. It’s what he’ll say on the bench. Sometimes a bark sometimes tapping the pads but he has a great feel for who’s playing very well on the other team.”

Yesterday, the Panthers cruised to another dominating win against the Hurricanes. Putting on a strong performance, the Panthers won Game 2 against the Hurricanes 5-0, and have one foot in the Stanley Cup Final with that win. Meanwhile, Matthew Tkachuk also tallied an assist along with his goal in what was a complete performance from the team. Despite admitting his struggles with goals, Tkachuk wasn’t worried about his personal form as long as the outcome was positive for the team.

Matthew Tkachuk’s reference to Alex Ovechkin

Fans probably saw the best of Matthew Tkachuk in the Panthers’ win over the Hurricanes yesterday. Ever since he’s been back on the ice following his injury, Tkachuk has put in one of his best displays as the Panthers dominated the Hurricanes in Game 2. During an interview, he gave a reference to Alex Ovechkin to shrug off his goal struggles of late.

Tkachuk revealed, “We’re up two games to zero, I do not care how we get there. If it goes in, it goes in. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. I’ve never cared. Sometimes it’s nice to see it go in, but it is what it is. I’m not (Alex) Ovechkin, they are not always going to go in, but when they do, they feel nice.”

Nonetheless, it looks as if Tkachuk has just started off in the playoffs. Going by his abilities, the best is yet to come for the 27-year-old, and it remains to be seen how he performs in the upcoming games. Meanwhile, the Panthers are eyeing to defend their Stanley Cup crown and will take on the Hurricanes in Game 3 later today, knowing that a win would put them close to the Stanley Cup Final.