Panthers superstar's injury status for elimination game still unclear

Just hours before a crucial Game 5, Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk’s health status for the contest is still up in the air. He’s been struggling with an upper-body injury that clearly hampered his performance in a 3-2 loss against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4.

Tkachuk has been one of the Panthers’ best players throughout the team’s magical playoff run thus far. He’s got 11 goals and 13 assists for 24 points through 20 playoff games, helping the Panthers knock off some of the top NHL squads in the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes.

Not only has Tkachuk managed to put up points during this postseason, but he’s come through in some huge moments for the Panthers. He has four game-winning goals, including three in overtime, and was a leading contender for the Conn Smythe Trophy before entering the Stanley Cup Final.

The Panthers will need their star forward to be on his game if they want to overcome the 3-1 series deficit they’re currently facing. The silence on Tkachuk’s injury prior to Game 5 begs the question that even if he does play, how healthy will he really be?

Tkachuk takes big hit in Game 3 of Stanley Cup Final

In Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, Tkachuk was on the receiving end of a massive hit from Golden Knights forward Keegan Kolesar. The thunderous collision clearly had an effect on Tkachuk, and he’s looked shaken up ever since.

While Tkachuk is known for his physical play, he’s often the one dealing the devastating blows rather than taking them. In the game after this hit, Tkachuk was held to zero points for only the fifth time this postseason.

Paul Maurice stays quiet on Tkachuk’s status prior to Game 5

In his pregame press conference on Tuesday, Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice didn’t reveal too much about Tkachuk’s injury. He would not give a definite answer whether Tkachuk would take the ice for this elimination game.

However, Maurice did make it clear that if Tkachuk were to play, no limits would be placed upon him. Tkachuk has not skated in any official capacity since the Game 4 loss.