Panthers’ Tkachuk almost wasn’t healthy enough to play at start of playoffs

Star Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk missed the remainder of the regular season after suffering an injury while playing for Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off event in February.

While many fans assumed the Panthers were holding him out to maximize the benefit of placing Tkachuk, and his contract, on long-term injured reserve, Tkachuk and the team continue to provide more clarity on what the reality of the situation was.

Florida was able to use the salary cap relief to acquire big names at the trade deadline like Brad Marchand and Seth Jones, but Tkachuk emphasized Monday that his availability for the start of the postseason was never a sure thing.

The 27-year-old winger told George Richards of Florida Hockey Now that the team’s medical staff needed every day available to get him ready.

That turned out to be a positive factor, as the Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning were the last series to drop the puck in the first round.

“I didn’t know if I was going come back at the start, and kind of found out the day before I was going to have a chance to play,’’ Tkachuk told Richards Monday. “The first round was definitely the worst I felt, by far.”

Tkachuk’s presence in the lineup for Game 1 was a major factor for Florida, as he scored two goals to kickstart his team’s bid for a repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

With 22 points in 22 playoff games, Tkachuk has been a key part of a balanced Panther attack that has given opponents fits in each round.

Thanks to their unmatched depth up front, every member of Florida’s top nine forward group has at least 15 points.

The Panthers are just one win away from wrapping up their repeat, with Game 6 against the Edmonton Oilers set for an 8:00 PM EST puck drop on Tuesday night.