Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk speaks after Florida's 5-3 loss to Tampa on March 16. Matthew and Brady Tkachuk are two of the best personalities and players in the league and they will meet head-to-head Thursday night. This will be the 21st matchup between the two brothers in the NHL and the 6th since Matthew joined the Panthers. Matthew has picked up seven points in the 5 games that they have played against each other since he was traded to Florida and the Panthers have a 4-1 record in those games. Matthew also owns the edge when it comes to overall points over Brady in their head-to-to head battles in the NHL. Matthew has 22 points in the brother’s meetings, while Brady has 20. So younger brother Brady might be looking to catch Matthew Thursday night. This will also be the second last time these teams meet before Brady is able to gain his dad strength. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-star-matthew-tkachuk-to-become-an-uncle] While the Tkachuk brothers playing each other is always a fun storyline, this is also an important game for the Panthers. They are 2-7-1 in their last 10 and have Toronto, their likely first round opponent on their tails in the battle for home ice advantage. Toronto did lose Wednesday night to Tampa to get them somewhat off the Panthers trail, but home ice is not the only concern for this Florida team. They have given up 10 goals in their last two games and had way too many turnovers in their own zone. Matthew Tkachuk along with this team has also cooled off a bit since his tremendous start to the new year. While he is still putting up points at a higher clip than most, it is not at the MVP candidate level he was in January/February. No better game to get on track than a head to head matchup against your younger brother. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Panthers set to battle feisty Senators in matchup of teams that do not like each other [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-set-to-battle-feisty-senators-in-matchup-of-teams-that-do-not-like-each-other] Florida Panthers recall Uvis Balinskis from AHL Charlotte, Aaron Ekblad status unknown [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/florida-panthers-recall-uvis-balinskis-from-ahl-charlotte-aaron-ekblad-status-unknown] Panthers will have their eyes on Leafs vs Lightning Wednesday . [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-will-have-their-eyes-on-leafs-vs-lightning-wednesday-] Three takeaways: Good start wasted, injuries becoming an issue again [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/three-takeaways-good-start-wasted-injuries-becoming-an-issue-again] Panthers late-season struggles continue, dropped 5-3 by Montreal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-late-season-struggles-continue-dropped-5-3-by-montreal]
