Do you recall when Paul Maurice mentioned he had some lineup decisions to make right before the game because of health issues in the roster? So, that sparked a bunch of rumors, and one of the big ones was about Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk. Lots of people thought he wouldn’t be playing in Game 3. What’s the reason for that?
Due to the groin injury he had a few months ago. Even if he was back in the squad, he still wasn’t at his best. A lot of people really wanted him to get some good rest. So, here’s the thing? Tkachuk ended up playing in Game 3, and he’s set to play in Game 4 too. Matthew Tkachuk talked openly about the rumors going around regarding his health.
Jameson Olive shared this on X: “Tkachuk: ‘I’m physically feeling great. … I’m happy to be out there with the guys. There’s nothing better.’” The hockey forward’s confident and upbeat vibe really put fans and teammates at ease, letting them know he would definitely be ready for Game 4.
Tkachuk is super important for the Panthers’ playoff run. It’s not just about how well he scores; his leadership and the energy he brings to the ice really make a difference too. People are really talking about his health, and it just shows how crucial he is to Florida’s success. The thought of him possibly missing a playoff game really had the fans worried.
Tkachuk: “I’m physically feeling great. … I’m happy to be out there with the guys. There’s nothing better.”
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) May 11, 2025
Tkachuk eased the tension before the puck dropped by confirming he’s fit and ready, which helped the Panthers stay focused as they look to build momentum in the series. So, how close was Game 3 between the two teams?
Matthew Tkachuk’s team edged the Toronto Maple Leafs in OT
Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Second Round was quite the nail-biter! The Florida Panthers came back from being down by two goals to snag a 5-4 overtime win, which means Toronto’s series lead is now just 2-1. What a game! The Maple Leafs kicked things off on a high note, with Matthew Knies finding the back of the net just 23 seconds into the game.
Toronto pulled ahead to a 3-1 lead in the second period, thanks to John Tavares scoring his second goal. But the Panthers came back with a lot of determination. Sam Reinhart found the back of the net to bring it to 3-2, and then Carter Verhaeghe stepped up with the equalizer. So, Jonah Gadjovich ended up giving Florida a 4-3 lead right towards the end of the second period.
In the third period, Morgan Rielly brought the game to a tie for Toronto, which set everything up for some overtime excitement. At 15:27 in the extra period, Brad Marchand clinched the win for Florida. It was a tight game, and Matthew Tkachuk got an assist. But you know what? NHL fans are definitely going to be more pumped for the upcoming Game 4.
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