Florida Panthers stars Matthew Tkachuk and Aaron Ekblad both played through significant injuries during the team’s playoff run, head coach Paul Maurice said after their season-ending 9-3 loss in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final last night.
It was obvious Tkachuk had sustained an injury in Game 3 after taking a hard open-ice hit from Vegas Golden Knights forward Keegan Kolesar during the first period, which Maurice said was a broken sternum. Tkachuk still managed to log 19 shifts, 16:40 of ice time, and 14 penalty minutes in Game 4.
Ekblad, on the other hand, had a much longer list of ailments that will need attention over the offseason. Per Maurice, the 27-year-old defender sustained a broken foot during the team’s first-round victory over the Boston Bruins and later suffered two separate shoulder dislocations and a torn oblique muscle.
Both Ekblad and Tkachuk missed just one game during the playoffs, of which the Panthers lost both. Ekblad missed Game 4 against Boston with what was at the time termed an undisclosed injury, although it seems likely the broken foot kept him out of action. Tkachuk couldn’t go for last night’s Game 5, with Maurice having this to say on their decision-making process:
[Tkachuk] didn’t dress himself for the game. Somebody helped him get his gear on, somebody tied his skates, somebody put his sweater on. But the next day when he came in, he was in significant pain. So it wasn’t really a question whether he’d be able to play [Game 5] or not. The idea would be to let it calm and we might be able to get him to get him to Game 7.
Maurice also said some Panthers players wouldn’t be healthy for the start of next season, although he didn’t name specifics. It’s a disappointing end to the season for Florida, but the immediate concern now lies with the long-term health of Tkachuk and Ekblad.
Tkachuk’s recovery from an injury he only played through for a game and a half should be rather straightforward. However, the Panthers now have to hope Ekblad’s lengthy injury history isn’t further exacerbated by any longer-term recovery complications from his foot or his oblique tear.
Thats the game Tkachuk wants to play, and it bit him in the end. Maybe if he has another chance to win a ring he won’t run around like a clown trying to injure everyone else and instead worry about putting the puck in the net and getting the W
If leading your team in playoff scoring after a 40-goal season isn’t worrying about putting the puck in the net, then he might just score more than McDavid next year
Although I don’t disagree he needs to dial it back haha
Welcome to NHL hockey, where people throw checks and play physically. Tkachuk was absolutely not a dirty player during that Playoffs. Especially not compared to absolute goons like Bertuzzi and Bunting. He’s a power forward, he forces into plays. That’s not “trying to injure” anyone.
Tkachuk was the best player in the entirety of the playoffs… I think that’s the game he “wants to play.”
Well I believe game for game that distinction would belong to Leon Draisaitl. However, in watching Tkachuk take game misconducts in both games 1 and 2 I think there has to be a question about decision making…
10 minute misconducts arent the same, he scored after one of his 10’s expired i think it was game 2
Third leading scorer in the playoffs. Second in goals. You don’t seem to know this.
Ovechkin had to change his game to have the longevity that he has enjoyed, as well as Marchand.
This just proves how tough hockey players are.
Wouldn’t say it’s just hockey players, I think a lot of people in physical jobs work injured. I work in construction, and I’ve been working the past few months with a damaged rotator cuff and pain in my hips and lower back. Obviously it’s nothing compared to an elite athlete, but I think it’s important to recognize that injuries are common, and not just sports stars will experience them in a normal working year.
You’re correct. It is a sports board though and I’m comparing to other professional athletes. Many ordinary joes go to work injured all the time to keep food on the plate.
Silent Hill fan?