Paul Maurice discusses how Tkachuk could utilized in a limited capacity if he plays on Tuesday
The Florida Panthers will board a plane at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Sunday bound for Las Vegas.
It’s a business trip for the Panthers, who will be looking to avoid an ending to their season after falling behind in the best-of-7 Stanley Cup Final three games to one.
Saturday night in Sunrise, the Vegas Golden Knights jumped out to a 3-goal lead and held on for the 3-2 victory at the end, surviving a strong comeback attempt by the host Panthers.
During the game, Florida star forward Matthew Tkachuk appeared to be dealing with an apparent shoulder injury.
He would sit out the majority of the third period but was on the ice for the Panthers final push at the end.
Anthony Duclair also missed some time during the final frame but did come back and play a handful of shifts to close out the game.
Forward Nick Cousins was on the ice for only 1:51 during the second period and 2:01 in the third, missing the final 12:55 of the game.
There is also Eetu Luostarinen, who hasn't played since leaving Game 4 of the conference final after blocking a shot, and in all likelihood, several others who are dealing with ailments that nobody outside the locker room knows about.
Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said on Sunday that all his injured players would be coming to FLA Live Arena for rehab before meeting the rest of the team at the airport for their flight to Vegas.
He did not specify which players he meant, though the initial question referenced Tkachuk and Duclair.
“We’ll have more for you tomorrow,” Maurice said.
Regarding Tkachuk, Maurice said following Game 4 that he was simply trying to the team into a “situation where he could use what he had to give us.”
With that comment in mind, the veteran coach was asked Sunday about trying to potentially maximize what Tkachuk could do during Game 5 if he’s able to play despite being limited by injury.
“Just situational,” he said. “There are players will play just power play, there are guys who will stay on (the ice) for offensive zone draws, there’s different styles of center and winger that you can play with to put them in a position to be good at what they can be good at.”
One positive for Florida is that there are two days between games as the series shifts back to Vegas.
It gives any players who are hurting an opportunity to heal as much as possible before trying to get back in the series.
Interestingly, Maurice pointed out how the time off was just as crucial for the healthy guys, as its those players who will be leaned on even more.
“It’s more important to get rest for the players who aren’t banged up because they’re going to have to drive this thing,” he said. “Every team has got injuries at this time of year. Your healthy men drive the bus now. The injured guys have probably been dealing with it for a while they know what they can get away with.”
The Panthers will likely hold a practice on Monday in Las Vegas, and we’ll see if there are any new developments with Florida’s roster at that time.
Considering the situation, down 3-1 in the Stanley Cup Final, it wouldn’t be terribly surprising for Maurice to keep any information, good or back, close to the chest.
“We have some experience with this,” he said of trailing 3-1 in a series. “And we’ll draw from it.”