Tkachuk suffered an upper-body injury in Game 3, fought through it in Game 4 but will not play in a must-win Game 5. With Tkachuk unavailable, Grigori Denisenko is expected to make his playoff debut.
Tkachuk has 14 goals, 25 assists, 107 SOG, 45 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus through 28 games to start his Florida Panthers' tenure so if he is forced to miss anytime due to illness it will be a massive loss for Florida. He will be a game-time decision and should know by warmups if he is good to go for their game vs. Pittsburgh.
Tkachuk has 14 goals, 25 assists, 107 SOG, 45 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus through 28 games to start his Florida Panthers' tenure so if he is forced to miss anytime due to illness it will be a massive loss for Florida. He will be a game-time decision and should know by warmups if he is good to go for their game vs. Pittsburgh.
Tkachuk was scratched Tuesday in Arizona after getting hurt Monday in Colorado but it looks like he'll play against the Maple Leafs. Tkachuk has played very well this season, scoring 12 goals with 15 assists (27 points) in 32 games this season.
After failing to eclipse 50 points in his first two NHL seasons, Tkachuk broke out for 34 goals and 43 assists (77 points) in 80 games. As good as Tkachuk played in 2018-19, he could see some regression in 2019-20, after relying on a 16.4 SH% and 10.2 on-ice SH%. Being stuck behind Johnny Gaudreau on the depth chart also limits Tkachuk’s chances of approaching a point-per-game this season.
Tkachuk was rested on Monday but is expected to replace Elias Lindholm in the lineup on Wednesday.
Tkachuk is still dealing with a suspected concussion and will not play tonight vs. the Sharks. With Tkachuk out, Sam Bennett will continue to skate on the Flames’ second line.
