Panthers' Tkachuk makes season debut vs. Sharks

Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk made his season debut Monday against the San Jose Sharks.

Tkachuk has been recovering from offseason surgery to repair a torn adductor and sports hernia, injuries he sustained at last year's 4 Nations Face-Off. Although he missed the remainder of the 2024-25 regular season, he returned in the playoffs to help the Panthers capture their second straight Stanley Cup.

The 28-year-old was instrumental during Florida's championship run, notching 23 points in 23 games.

Tkachuk's return comes at an opportune time for the Panthers, as they enter Monday's contest four points back of a wild-card spot.

"It's not like I can dip my toe," Tkachuk said, per team reporter Jameson Olive. "I told them, 'I'm coming back, throw me in the fire.' We need these points, that's why I was only coming back at 100%. Just really excited."

Florida has gone 25-19-3 without Tkachuk and captain Aleksander Barkov, who was given a seven-to-nine-month recovery timeline after knee surgery in September.