Florida Panthers star forward Matthew Tkachuk will be out of the lineup for Game 5 against the Vegas Golden Knights due to a nagging upper-body injury, according to Sportsnet’s Kyle Bukauskas.
Tkachuk appeared to sustain the injury early in Game 3 following an open-ice hit from Golden Knights’ Keegan Kolesar. He stumbled to his feet before heading to the locker room, but did return to finish the game.
He played reduced ice-time in Game 4 at 16:40, taking the ice for just four shifts during the third period.
Tkachuk, considered a leading candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy entering this series, avoided questions after the Panthers’ Game 4 loss regarding his injury and status to play on Tuesday in Vegas. Panthers head coach Paul Maurice did not provide an update on Tkachuk to reporters after morning skate.
The 25-year-old has been the crux of the Panthers’ offence this post-season, with 11 goals and 24 points in 20 playoff games this year. He is also expected to be a leading candidate for the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player in the NHL.
Grigori Denisenko took warmups ahead of Game 5 for the Panthers and will replace Tkachuk in the lineup.
The Golden Knights, up 3-1 in the series, have the opportunity to clinch the Stanley Cup tonight. Watch Game 5 at 5 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet NOW.
