Panthers’ Matthew Tkachuk a Game-Time Decision for Game 1 Against Lightning

Matthew Tkachuk is a game-time decision for Game 1 of the Florida Panthers’ first round playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, head coach Paul Maurice said following Tuesday’s morning skate.

“He’ll get checked out one more time by the doctors before we get him cleared,” Maurice said when asked of Tkachuk’s status.

The Panthers’ star forward has missed the past 25 games with a lower-body injury, which he sustained during the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February.

Tkachuk rejoined the team for practice last Saturday after skating on his own a few weeks prior. He was a full participant in Panthers’ morning skate on Tuesday.

If he does end up playing in Game 1, the 27-year-old will slot back on Florida’s second line alongside Sam Bennett and Mackie Samoskevich. A return to the Panthers’ top power play unit would also be expected for Tkachuk.

Puck drop for Game 1 is 8:30 p.m. EST, from Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL.

PANTHERS PROJECTED LINES (If Tkachuk plays)

Verhaeghe-Barkov-Reinhart

Samoskevich-Bennett-Tkachuk

Luostarinen-Lundell-Marchand

Rodrigues-Sturm-Boqvist

Forsling-Jones

Mikkola-Kulikov

Balinskis-Schmidt

Bobrovsky (Starter)

Vanecek