It was just a few short seasons ago that every game between the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators meant wholesale mayhem.
At the time, Ryan Lomberg was asked why that was.
“Two words,” Lomberg said. “The Tkachuk brothers.”
Well said.
Although the Tkachuks are no stranger to the rugged stuff, family rules are that they are kind to each other on the ice.
Recent games have been relatively quiet. One of several story lines Tuesday night was the first matchup this season of the infamous brothers, but it was Matthew who came away with the headlines.
Matthew Tkachuk missed the first two meetings while recovering from offseason surgery.
He did not disappoint.
More on that later.
There were a few other story lines in Florida’s 6-3 win.
Aaron Ekblad played in his 804th game with the Panthers, tying Sasha Barkov for the all-time leader in games played.
He is not celebrating.
Ekblad said last week he would rather Barkov be in the lineup adding to his total.
They may remain tied going into next season.
Ekblad appeared to break his right hand blocking a shot during a lengthy penalty kill late in the third.
With Noah Gregor serving a five-minute major for a high hit on Carter Yakemchuk, Gus Forsling was called for tripping with 1:04 left in Gregors’ penalty.
With James Reimer (who relieved Linus Ullmark after a five-goal first) off the ice for an extra skater, the Panthers were at their shot-blocking best.
Ekblad blocked a shot with his hand and was trying to kill the penalty even though he couldn’t grip the stick.
He left the game.
Earlier, Dmitry Kulikov left the game after taking a puck off his face. Donovan Sebrango also left.
Paul Maurice had no significant update after the game.
“I’ve got a lineup at the Xray machine,’’ Maurice said. “So, tomorrow should be an interesting one.”
On Ekblad: “It doesn’t look good.”
Kulikov? “Looks even worse.’’
The nine-player injury list will likely increase.
Including last night’s injury scratches, the Panthers have lost 449 games to injury.
Gregor did set a franchise record for fastest goal from the start of a game, cashing in mishandling of the puck by Ullmark and defender Jordan Spence, swiping a loose puck into the net at 8 seconds in.
Ottawa was missing three regular defensemen, Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot and Nick Jensen. Not much sympathy from the Panthers in that regard.
The Panthers killed five Ottawa power plays including that late 6-on-3.
Comcast Xfinity Shuts Down Florida Panthers broadcast in Middle of Game
Back to Matthew Tkachuk.
The line of Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, and Carter Verhaeghe continue their hot streak.
They combined for three goals and six assists for 10 points. Tkachuk registered a four-point game for the 10th time as a Panther.
The line registered 14 shots on goal.
Tkachuk has 31 points (13-18-31) in 27 games since returning to the lineup January 19.
Verhaeghe, who had two goals both assisted by Tkachuk, summed up his line’s performance.
“I thought we were moving. We were good on the forecheck,’’ Verhaeghe said. “We were skating with the puck. I mean the first period was really good. We had the puck in their zone pretty much the whole time. We had good chemistry with each other.”
The Panthers have eight games remaining.
With the injury list possibly growing it is anybody’s guess who will be in the lineup Thursday against Boston.
ON DECK: GAME No. 75
BOSTON BRUINS at FLORIDA PANTHERS
