The Florida Panthers are currently in the Olympic break. With a record of 29-25-3 and 61 points, they trail the Boston Bruins for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference by eight points. They will try to save their Cup-defending season when it restarts on Thursday, Feb. 26, against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Panthers sent 10 players to this year’s Winter Olympic Games. Representing the United States of America is forward and alternate captain Matthew Tkachuk. This is his first time donning the Stars and Stripes since losing in the Gold Medal match last season in the 4 Nations Face-Off to Canada by a score of 3-2 in overtime. He looks to avenge that dropped series Sunday morning in Milan and bring his team a gold medal for the first time since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980.
He’s Been Playing Very Well in the Tournament
Through five games in these Olympic Games, he’s piled up six assists. This includes an assist on his brother, Brady Tkachuk‘s, goal scored in their first game against Latvia.
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He looks to improve upon that since his last go-around in international play was cut short. In the 4 Nations, he potted two goals and was credited with an assist in three games before leaving the Gold Medal match with a lower-body injury.
He Has to Answer the Bell From Canada After the 4 Nations Fiasco
Right off the opening faceoff in a preliminary match against Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off, Tkachuk started a fight with Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel. This, in turn, had a domino effect. His brother Brady would drop the gloves with his Panther linemate Sam Bennett.
Afterwards, current New York Rangers forward J.T. Miller would square up with St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko. The US would go on to win that game 3-1.
Once it was over, it was revealed that there was a group chat discussing the altercations in an attempt to “send a message”. No pun intended.
“There was a group chat going on today,” Brady Tkachuk said. “We just reaffirmed we were going to do that. I think Matthew’s fight to start it off was just such an energy boost. I think I was more excited, more nervous for my own. And then for Millsy to cap it off against a big guy like that, he did a great job. It was a pretty awesome experience.”
Brady Tkachuk on the fights from the 4 Nations Face-Off.
With this in the back of everyone’s minds, Tkachuk may have planted the seed for what is going to be a tension-heavy Gold Medal game.
Is He Going to Bring Home the Gold?
Hillary Knight and the women’s Team USA got the job done on Thursday by a score of 2-1 in overtime against Canada. With that, there’s some more motivation to steal a win on Sunday.
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History, however, has not favored Team USA. In their previous five meetings, Canada has won four, with the United States’ last victory coming in 2010 in group play. However, Team Canada could be without their captain, Sidney Crosby. If that is the case, the Americans have to take advantage and steal the dub in Italy. Otherwise, the number of “what ifs” are going to be burning in their minds for the next four years.
