The Florida Panthers will be without star forward Matthew Tkachuk tonight due to the lower-body injury he sustained at the 4 Nations Face-Off playing for Team USA. This news was not unexpected; coach Paul Maurice said Friday that it was likely Tkachuk would not play tonight.

The Florida Panthers play their first game in two weeks Saturday and will almost assuredly be without star forward Matthew Tkachuk. Tkachuk appeared to sustain a groin injury on Saturday night against Canada in the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off and missed much of the third period of that 3-1 win.

FORT LAUDERDALE – After suffering an injury at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Matthew Tkachuk is unlikely to suit up for the Florida Panthers against the Seattle Kraken on Saturday. "My expectation is he won’t be playing tomorrow," head coach Paul Maurice said after Friday's practice at Baptist Health IcePlex.