The stars continue to align for Matthew Tkahcuk to return for the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Florida Panthers announced that Tkachuk had been taken off injured reserve.

The announcement came just four hours before Game 1 between the Panthers and Lightning from Tampa Bay.

It's been just over three months since Tkahcuk has played a hockey game and closer to four months since he last suited up for the Panthers.

The star forward was injured during the 4 Nations Face-Off, suffering an apparent groin injury in a game between the United States and Canada.

Tkachuk began skating on his own last month, but more recently he began joining his teammates for more intense skates and was on the ice with Panthers for their two most recent practices, as well as Tuesday's morning skate at Amalie Arena.

During those skates, Tkachuk was deployed on a line with Sam Bennett and Mackie Samoskevich while also seeing reps on Florida's top power play unit.

Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice told the media after Tuesday's morning skate that Tkahcuk's status for Game 1 would ultimately be determined after the team's medical staff checked him out.

The big announcement of taking Tkachuk off IR sure leads one to believe that the Cats plan on having him in the lineup for Game 1.

The puck drops in Tampa at 8:30 p.m.

LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA

Florida betting trends leaning toward Tampa Bay despite Panthers being favored

Panthers full of 'excitement and energy' ahead of Game 1 in Tampa

Matthew Tkachuk continues trending toward Game 1 return as Panthers travel to Tampa

Panthers taking full advantage of late start to Stanley Cup Playoffs

Florida Panthers bringing exciting on-ice projection system back for Stanley Cup Playoffs