Matthew Tkachuk is a Game-Time Decision For Florida Panthers in Game 1

Matthew Tkachuk will be a game-time decision when the Florida Panthers take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Tuesday night.

TAMPA — After getting Matthew Tkachuk through Tuesday’s morning skate, Florida Panthers coach Paul Mauirce did not give a final answer as to whether or not he would be returning for Game 1 of the playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The star forward, who has been out of the lineup with a groin injury since the 4 Nations Face-Off, had been skating with the team since last Thursday. He took part in line rushes and power play drills, but the team wants to check on the injury one more time before they clear him to play.

“We will get him checked out by the doctors one more time before we get him cleared,” Maurice said.

Tkachuk finished the regular season third on the Panthers in goals (22) and third on the team in points (57) in 52 games. His 1.10 points-per-game led the team.

But his impact on the game goes far beyond the stat sheet.

“Well, he’s our second leading scorer,” Maurice said. “I don’t know if it was true by the end of the year, but he’s a plus point-per-game guy fro a team that is going to be considerably behind the other team in goals for

“And then there’s your leadership group. That core are your leaders for a reason. With all of them, it’s not just their presence in the room, but their presence in the game. And Matthew’s strength, being obvious is his glands, but his emotional understanding of the game. When the team needs a bark, when it needs a funny joke, when it needs a hit, whatever it needs. He has a great understanding.”