Panthers rest, wait on Tkachuk’s status before facing Tampa Bay; forward suspended

Panthers rest, wait on Tkachuk’s status before facing Tampa Bay; forward suspended

The Panthers have six days between the end of the regular season and the start of their first-round of the playoffs against Tampa Bay. They are hoping star Matthew Tkachuk will have enough time to recover in time for Game 1.

Matthew Tkachuk Back with the Florida Panthers for Game 1?

FORT LAUDERDALE — The question on everyone’s mind when it comes to the Florida Panthers these days is whether Matthew Tkachuk will be available when the playoffs start Tuesday in Tampa. It certainly sounds as if he will be. Coach Paul Maurice said “there isn’t anybody that I would say that I know is not ready for Game 1,’’ adding that no one on the team has “an injury that’s week to week.’’ When Maurice spoke about when Tkachuk could be ready to…