Tkachuk scored two goals on three shots, dished an assist and added two PIM in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Lightning in Game 1.

EDGE Analysis

Tkachuk's three points all came on the power play. He missed 25 games due to a groin injury sustained at the 4 Nations Face-Off, and he may not have been 100 percent Tuesday either after playing just 11:43 in Game 1. Still, a little bit went a long way this time, and he should be a major force on offense as long as he avoids aggravating the injury.

Tkachuk (groin) was activated from long-term injured reserve Tuesday, per the NHL media site.

EDGE Analysis

Following a 25-game absence, Tkachuk appears ready to return to the lineup in Game 1 versus Tampa Bay on Tuesday. He will likely skate on the second line and see time on the top power-play unit. Tkachuk compiled 22 goals, 57 points, 156 shots on net and 84 hits across 52 appearances during the 2024-25 regular season.

Tkachuk (groin) will be a game-time decision Tuesday against the Lightning in Game 1, according to Panthers TV Rinkside Reporter Katie Engleson.

EDGE Analysis

Head coach Paul Maurice relayed that Tkachuk, who skated on the second line during Tuesday's morning skate, will continue to be evaluated by the team's doctors leading up to puck drop. The 27-year-old Tkachuk last suited up with the Panthers on Feb. 8, though his groin injury occurred at the 4 Nations Face-Off. He will need to be activated off long-term injured reserve if he ends up being available for Game 1. Tkachuk supplied 22 goals and 57 points over 52 regular-season appearances in 2024-25, which marks the fourth straight campaign that he's produced over a point-per-game.

Head coach Paul Maurice said Thursday that Tkachuk (groin) will skate on off days ahead of the playoffs, and the 27-year-old could be available for Game 1 of Florida's first-round series, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tkachuk sustained an injury during the 4 Nations Face-Off and has been sidelined since then. The Panthers announced in early March that the 27-year-old would miss the remainder of the regular season, but he's slated to be evaluated in the days leading up to the team's first-round playoff series. Tkachuk will likely be a game-time decision for Game 1, but even if he isn't cleared for that matchup, it wouldn't be surprising to see him suit up later in the series.

Tkachuk (groin) will be with the Panthers for their upcoming four-game road trip but is still targeting a postseason return, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports Monday.

EDGE Analysis

According to head coach Paul Maurice, the playoff schedule could result in Tkachuk missing some postseason action as well. It's something that fantasy managers will have to take into consideration when working on their postseason pools. Prior to getting hurt at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Tkachuk was rolling offensively with seven goals and six assists in his last six appearances.

Tkachuk (groin) won't be an option for Florida until the postseason after general manager Bill Zito told reporters Monday, "Matthew's going to be out for an extended period of time. We hope to get him back for the playoffs," per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

EDGE Analysis

Tkachuk was already designated for long-term injured reserve, but this update further cements the fact that the winger won't be seeing any more regular-season action. It will be the first time the 27-year-old Arizona native will miss the 60-point threshold since the 2020-21 campaign. Don't be surprised to see the Panthers take advantage of the $9.5 million in LTIR cap relief ahead of Friday's trade deadline.

Tkachuk (groin) was placed on long-term injured reserve Sunday, per PuckPedia.

EDGE Analysis

Tkachuk has missed the last four games after being injured during the 4 Nations Face-Off. It remains unclear when he will be available to return to the lineup, though he will be out for at least 10 games and 24 days after going on LTIR. Tkachuk has generated 22 goals, 57 points, 156 shots on net, 84 hits and 54 PIM through 52 appearances this season. Due to Tkachuk's absence, Evan Rodrigues and Mackie Samoskevich have been occupying top-six roles. The Panthers recalled Chris Driedger from AHL Charlotte in a corresponding move to occupy the backup role behind Sergei Bobrovsky after trading Spencer Knight to Chicago on Saturday for Seth Jones.

Tkachuk (groin) has been ruled out of Thursday's contest against the Oilers, Colby Guy of The Palm Beach Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

There was no update in Tkachuk's status, though head coach Paul Maurice did state that his star 27-year-old winger was out "near-term" rather than long-term. Tkachuk had been white-hot before the 4 Nations Face-Off break with eight goals and eight assists across eight games. Overall, he has 22 goals, 35 assists, 23 power-play points, 156 shots on goal and 84 hits across 52 appearances this season.

Tkachuk (groin) continues to be evaluated but won't face the Predators on Tuesday after head coach Paul Maurice told reporters, "He saw some people over the weekend. Going to wait a few more days, get a couple more looks...we don't want to be giving out reports every second day that aren't confirmed. So we'll wait on that for a few more days," per Katie Engleson of Scripps Sports.

EDGE Analysis

The fact that Tkachuk is seeing multiple doctors regarding his groin injury doesn't bode well for a quick return to the lineup. Still, until the Panthers provide a clear update on his timeline, fantasy players will have to take a wait-and-see approach. Prior to his absence, the 27-year-old winger was rolling with 16 points in his last eight outings, including three goals and two assists with the man advantage.

Tkachuk -- who is reportedly dealing with a groin problem -- is expected to be sidelined long term but will suit up again this year, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports Monday.

EDGE Analysis

While the Panthers haven't offered a specific timeline, fantasy managers probably shouldn't expect Tkachuk back on the ice until sometime in March. Given that prognosis, it seems almost certain the 27-year-old winger will be designated for injured reserve. If the Scottsdale native is out until the postseason, it could free up significant cap space for Florida ahead of the trade deadline as well, if the team elects to put him on long-term injured reserve.