The Stanley Cup Playoffs may be beginning in a few days, but the mind games of the players have already begun. The teams are doing their best to unsettle their opponents before the big games. The Panthers aren’t far behind in this matter and are using their defending champions’ tag rather effectively, boasting their presence in the Playoffs. Additionally, all the attention has been on the Tkachuk brothers, Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, who could face each other in the second round. Ahead of that potential encounter, the elder Tkachuk brother’s teammate, Aleksander Barkov, mocked his younger brother, Brady.
Barkov has been one of the key players for the Panthers this season. He has already scored 20 goals and 51 assists, and has shown his creative best throughout this season. While Matthew Tkachuk was away due to an injury, Barkov shouldered most of the responsibility, leading his team into the Playoffs.
With the next stage of the NHL fast approaching, Barkov couldn’t hold back and had a hilarious admission about Brady. During an interview, Barkov cited, “There’s no one like him … *pause* … well, his brother.” Even as Barkov put Matthew above Brady, both these stars are suffering from injuries and remain doubtful starters in the Stanley Cup first-round games.
Barkov on Tkachuk: “There’s no one like him … *pause* … well, his brother.”
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) April 17, 2025
Meanwhile, both Matthew and Brady Tkachuk face a race against time to make a comeback from their injuries. While the former suffered a lower-body injury, Brady had an upper-body hit, which made him look visibly discomforted while playing. Ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, there was a fresh update on their injury condition, with Matthew nearing a return, but it was feared that Brady’s season was almost over. Nonetheless, they are doing everything that they can to get back to full fitness.
Recently, Matthew Tkachuk appeared on Up and Adams with Kay Adams, during which he hinted at his comeback. Will he be able to come back strongly?
Matthew Tkachuk stirs up the suspense
With the defending champions not having the best of seasons, the onus lies on the players to take the business forward. As a result, the elder Tkachuk brother provided a fresh update on his injury. This meant that he was very close to making a return on the ice, providing a boost to his team.
Talking about his comeback, Matthew Tkachuk said, “I think I’d get in trouble if I said. will say it’s been very good the last probably few days on the ice. I’ve really only been on the ice for a couple of days with, like, legit skates, so I’m just trying to peak sometime around Game 1. So, [I’m] looking forward to it.“
Meanwhile, Matthew Tkachuk suffered the injury during the Four Nations tournament, and he was not very far away from making a comeback on the ice. On the other hand, Brady’s injury is more serious and would take some time before we see him on the ice again. It’ll be interesting to see if both the Tkachuk brothers can make a comeback in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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