Matthew Tkachuk scored a goal in Game 6 and is now a two-time Stanley Cup champion. For a long time, it wasn’t even certain he would be able to play in the postseason. Now, he reveals the injuries he’s been playing through, and fans are truly stunned.
Matthew Tkachuk’s first words after Game 6 sent a strong message to the hockey world: “We’ve got to be a dynasty now.” And it’s tough to argue with that statement.
After reaching the Stanley Cup Finals but ultimately losing to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023, the Florida Panthers are now back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. They won Game 7 against the Edmonton Oilers last year, and in the 2025 Final, they needed only six games to clinch the Cup.
The Florida Panthers have many heroes on the team, and several stars ready to step up at crucial moments. In Game 6, Matthew Tkachuk scored a great goal to make it 2-0 with just a minute left in the first period. It was a devastating goal for the Edmonton Oilers to concede, and they were never able to mount a comeback. The Panthers delivered a simply dominant performance to win their second Cup in franchise history, and Tkachuk was, naturally, walking on clouds postgame.
Matthew Tkachuk’s injuries
This victory was perhaps even more special to him than to his teammates, given how close he came to not playing this postseason. He’s been battling injuries, though neither he nor the Panthers had shared details—until now. After hoisting the Cup for the second time in his career, Tkachuk revealed exactly what he’s been going through—and it was worse than anyone could have imagined.
“Matthew Tkachuk says he tore the adductor off the bone and was dealing with a hernia on the same side of his body, and wasn’t sure if he would be able to play to start these playoffs,” Frank Seravalli said on X.
But ultimately, all the pain and grind were worth it for Tkachuk.
“Tkachuk says grinding through all that makes this Stanley Cup more rewarding,” Seravalli wrote.
On social media, fans were stunned to learn about the injuries, with many saying the exact same thing: that he deserves a whole lot of respect for pulling through.
”I wanted to throw in the towel a bunch of times,” Tkachuk said. “I just owe the doctors so much. I really didn’t think I’d be playing and or at least playing to my capabilities so the longer the playoffs went, the better I felt, and I owe that to the guys for giving me some wiggle room to feel good.”
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