Tkachuk hasn’t played for the Panthers since suffering a groin injury in February’s 4 Nations Face-Off. He said his “goal” is to rejoin practice this week, but his return to game action will hinge on what day the postseason starts.

The Florida Panthers are headed to the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, but the reigning league champions remain without star forward Matthew Tkachuk on the ice. The 27-year-old Tkachuk has not seen action since playing for the United States in the championship game of the 4 Nations Face-Off way back in February,

That was the message from Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice following the final game of Florida's regular season, which took place on Tuesday night in Tampa Bay. For the past several weeks, the Florida's plan has been to have the team as physically healthy as possible when the postseason arrives.