The Florida Panthers are receiving quite the boost for Monday’s game against the San Jose Sharks as they look to establish more consistency and make a playoff charge.
Forward Matthew Tkachuk is back for his season debut after undergoing surgery for a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia injury.
This is notable for both the Panthers and Team USA hockey, as Tkachuk was included on the Americans’ Olympic roster.
“I’m feeling great,” Tkachuk told reporters. “Just so excited to be back. It has been a little over five months since the surgery, so I have just been champing at the bit to come back. Really happy the day is finally here.
“I’m here to be a hockey player, not to cheer from the sidelines. I am here to be competing with the guys. It’s not like I can dip my toe like it is the preseason or even the beginning of a season like past years. I told them I am coming back. Throw me in the fire.”
Florida is outside the playoff picture and looking in with 53 points on a 25-19-3 record despite winning the last two Stanley Cup titles, but getting one of its offensive leaders who finished with 23 points in 23 playoff games last season could help provide the spark it needs to turn things around down the stretch.