The latest on Matthew Tkachuk injury as Team USA looks ahead to 4 Nations title game
Florida Panthers star winger Matthew Tkachuk wasn’t overly concerned about the lower-body injury he sustained late in the United States’ win over Canada on Saturday in the 4 Nations Face-Off.
That said, Team USA is being cautious with Tkachuk as they proceed with the tournament.
With the United States already securing its spot in the championship game, Tkachuk will not play Monday in Team USA’s round-robin finale against Sweden at Boston’s TD Garden.
Tkachuk did not take part in Team USA’s morning skate on Monday.
He is expected to be available for the championship game on Thursday.
Tkachuk didn’t play the final 12:36 on Saturday at Montreal’s Bell Centre with what appeared to be either a groin or hamstring injury. He did test out the injury and attempted to skate during the final two TV timeouts but ultimately did not get back into the game.
But when Tkachuk talked postgame, he played down the severity of the injury.
“I feel good, much better after a win,” Tkachuk told reporters following the game, a 3-1 victory that clinched the United States’ spot in the title game. “I feel good. … Other than Game 7 [of the Stanley Cup Final] last year, this has been the highlight of my hockey career so far. So, I’m just going to enjoy it with the guys. We have such a fun group in there. ... Lots of laughs. We’re having a lot of fun.”
And Tkachuk has been front and center through it all. He scored two goals in the United States’ 6-1 win over Finland to begin tournament play. He then started off the string of three fights in a span of nine seconds to begin the game against Canada.
The United States then rallied from an early 1-0 deficit against Canada with two goals from Jake Guentzel and one from Dylan Larkin.
“We had to send a message that we’re here in Montreal on a Saturday night,’’ Tkachuk said. “We want it to be our time. That was the message right from the get-go. … They have had a lot of success over the last bunch of years. For us to play them here in Canada; I don’t understand the outside narrative that these aren’t big games. These are as big as they get. This is what you dream about. To have the chance to knock off Canada in Canada? It was incredible.’’
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