With his physical play, skill and clutch production, Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk is a true game-changer in the NHL playoffs. But is he one of the best right now?
Matthew Tkachuk has made lots of noise over the last two Stanley Cup playoffs.
He's been the heart and soul of a Florida Panthers team that has asserted itself as the NHL’s nastiest team to play against.
Boasting a rare combination of skill, physicality and competition, the 26-year-old fits the mold of what many describe as the “prototypical playoff player.” He produces points, hits — even fights — and wins games because of it.
But when it comes to playoff prowess, is Tkachuk really among the best of the best? Or, rather, is he a top-five NHL playoff performer these days?
Any process is pretty arbitrary. But let’s work under the assumption that a list of the top-five playoff performers equals the five biggest game-changers. Going off the last two years, then yes, Tkachuk is one of the five best players in the NHL come playoff time.
Dating back to last year's playoffs, only Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have recorded more primary points per 60 minutes than Tkachuk's 2.86 among players with at least 250 minutes played, according to naturalstattrick.com.
The points are just one part of the equation, though. When Tkachuk’s been on the ice these past two post-seasons, the Panthers produce 16.59 high-danger chances per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 — which is the highest impact leaguewide. Without him on the ice, the team generates 5.88 fewer high-danger chances per 60 minutes, the second-highest difference among players in the past two post-seasons.
Aside from the offensive production, Tkachuk also hits all the right notes when it comes to intangibles. He’s an artist in walking the fine line of being an agitator — which is made even harder when being an elite player — and ranks second in penalties drawn per 60 minutes (1.75) over the last two years.
Above all, he’s clutch.
Tkachuk is tied with teammate Carter Verhaeghe for the most game-winning goals over the last two playoffs, with six, and all but two of them have been in the conference final. Three of his conference final game-winners came in overtime against Carolina last year, sealing the deal in Game 1, Game 2 and Game 4, which punched their ticket to the final.
While McDavid and Draisaitl are the top two playoff performers right now — and among the best of all-time — Tkachuk is also one of the most lethal weapons in the post-season.
If the Panthers hoist the Stanley Cup in the next couple of weeks, his case will only be considered further.
Here's more discussion about Tkachuk with Michael Traikos:
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