Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk is a walking testament to the sheer toughness of the average NHL player.
On Tuesday, Tkachuk helped lead the Panthers to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in a definitive 5-1 Game 6 win over the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla. The two-time All-Star could not contain his excitement as he stormed the ice even before the game was officially over.
Matthew Tkachuk hit the ice with a full 8 seconds to go in regulation 🤣
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 18, 2025
Was too hyped to start the celebrations pic.twitter.com/D0J8mgKMuL
During his postgame interview, Tkachuk was asked about his battle with injuries all throughout the season. The 27-year-old revealed just how severe his injuries were.
“I tore my adductor off the bone, and I had a hernia, all on the same side,” said Tkachuk. “I wanted to throw in the towel a bunch of times. … I’ve got to thank a lot of people for getting me healthy enough. … I just owe them so much, the doctors.”
Matthew Tkachuk reveals he tore his abductor muscle off the bone, and had "some hernia thing," which almost kept him out of the playoffs 😳 pic.twitter.com/skGChME1br
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 18, 2025
In February, there were some serious doubts about the Panthers’ chances to repeat. Tkachuk missed the last 25 games of the regular season after hurting his groin during the 4 Nations Face-Off event.
Tkachuk worked his way back to health just in time for the playoffs. He scored seven goals and tallied 15 assists through 22 postseason games.
