Matthew Tkachuk was expected to lead the charge for the Florida Panthers in the NHL playoffs. He immediately got off to a hot start with two goals and an assist in Game 1 in the opening round against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
While the Panthers as a team have continued to score, Tkachuk went 10 games without scoring before he found the net on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Though Tkachuk ended his scoreless drought, it’s too early to tell if this will break the metaphorical dam for him. Questions surrounding Florida’s ability to survive without its big scoring moments from its star are still lingering in some minds.
Can Matthew Tkachuk Stay Impactful Without Scoring in the Playoffs?
Tkachuk may not be filling up the net this postseason, but he hasn’t vanished from the ice either. With 12 points and 8 assists so far, combined with his gritty, physical play, he’s still playing a big role in Florida’s playoff push. But in the high-stakes world of playoff hockey, where clutch goals often define legacies, his lack of scoring hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Tkachuk himself seems unfazed by the noise. After Florida’s dominant 5-0 win over the Hurricanes in Game 2, he brushed off concerns about his freshly broken scoring drought.
Matthew Tkachuk extends the lead for the @FlaPanthers! ✅ #StanleyCup
🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT & @SportsonMax ➡️ https://t.co/4TuyIATi3T
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/j1BYIW6jd2— NHL (@NHL)
“We’re up 2-0. I do not care how we get there,” he said. “I’ve never cared. Sometimes it’s nice to go in, but it is what it is sometimes. I’m not Ovechkin, so they’re not always going to go in.”
It was a moment of raw honesty, but also a subtle reminder that his game isn’t all about goals. Even though he finally broke his drought, Tkachuk still downplayed his lack of goals.
“It is what it is sometimes,” he said. “I’m not Ovechkin.”
Tkachuk was asked again if he cares if he scores.
"We're up 2-0. I do not care how we get there. … I've never cared. Sometimes it's nice to go in, but it is what it is sometimes. I'm not Ovechkin, so they're not always going to go in."
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop)
On the surface, these quotes show humility. But they also hint at a strategic shift in narrative. Tkachuk is redirecting attention away from individual numbers and toward team success. That message might be just what Florida needs.
Tkachuk knows the stakes. The Panthers are deep in the Eastern Conference finals, trying to avoid another tense, down-to-the-wire series like last year’s battle with the New York Rangers. While he doesn’t shy away from the spotlight, he’s not chasing it either.
Tkachuk is proving that impact in the playoffs comes in many forms, and sometimes, leadership means stepping back so the team as a whole can shine.
Teammates Say Tkachuk’s Value Goes Beyond the Scoreboard
While some fans may focus on the stat sheet, those who know Tkachuk best say his real value can’t be measured in goals and assists alone.
“He always plays well,” said Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov. “He’s a one-of-a-kind player, and we’re lucky to have him on our side. He does it all for us. He’s huge for us.”
That kind of praise says a lot. It’s not just about scoring. Tkachuk’s presence on the ice makes a difference in every game. He’s the kind of player who can change the tone of a match without even touching the puck.
Forward A.J. Greer added another layer to Tkachuk’s game when speaking with the media after Game 2.
“He’s able to be an agitator without taking penalties. That’s huge for us. A skilled guy who can play in all different types of games.”
That balance of skill and smart play is rare. Tkachuk knows how to get under the other team’s skin without putting his team at risk. And that’s just as valuable as scoring a goal, sometimes even more.
Even Panthers coach Paul Maurice doesn’t get caught up in stats.
“I never look, ever look at stats. It just doesn’t matter to me,” he said. “I don’t care who scores, I really don’t.”
For Maurice and much of the Panthers locker room, what matters is winning, and Tkachuk helps them do that in countless ways that don’t show up on the scoreboard.