Team USA finally broke their losing streak against Team Canada on Saturday, emerging from the sides’ first meeting in over nine years with a closely-fought 3-1 victory. But the win has come at a cost, as top-line winger Matthew Tkachuk has been announced as out with a lower-body injury, head coach Mike Sullivan told NHL.com’s Dan Rosen. Sullivan made no indication of if Tkachuk would be available for USA’s Monday matchup against Team Sweden. The game will be relatively low-stakes given USA has already clinched a championship spot, which could offer Tkachuk a timely break.
It wasn’t clear when Tkachuk suffered his injury. He played his final shift with 12 minutes remaining in the third period and stayed on the bench for the rest of the game. Tkachuk appeared to be nursing his right leg as he skated to the bench – and skated around during the final TV timeouts – though it’s not clear if that’s the site of his new injury. A few minutes after his last shift, Tkachuk appeared to tell Sullivan and assistant coach John Tortorella that he wouldn’t be able to play.
Tkachuk has been the energizer for Team USA through their first two games. He scored two goals and added an assist in the country’s 6-1 routing of Team Finland, and kicked off the matchup against Canada with a fight off the opening draw. He’s added four hits – and also leads the tournament in high-danger shots on goal per NHL Edge. Tkachuk has spent the first two games glued to America’s top line, rotating between pairings with Jake Guentzel and Auston Matthews; and Brady Tkachuk and Jack Eichel. His fluid role of high-scoring bruiser will be a tough one to fill knowing that USA’s extra forward is New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider – who has just six hits in 47 NHL games this season.
Tkachuk’s absence could kneecap Team USA headed into the 4-Nations championship, but his long-term health must be top priority. He ranks second on the Florida Panthers in scoring this year, with 22 goals and 57 points in 52 games placing him just five points behind Sam Reinhart. Tkachuk also ranks third on the team in penalty minutes, likely part of why he’s averaged just 18 minutes of ice time all year. Tkachuk scored 22 points in 24 games of Florida’s Stanley Cup run last season. His presence will be pivotal to the team’s chances at a repeat.
It was a 3-1 final, but still a W. :)
The Tkachuk’s are now my favorite family.
@Gbear – Just watching game recaps made you feel like they were playing like the Sedins, only with more grit. Greater than the sum of the parts for me. They’d be must-watch TV 82+ times a year, if they could play on the same team.
@Mac – That may well have been the best 1st period I’ve ever seen. Can’t get that even in the Olympics. The NHL just gained thousands of new fans after last night, to the chagrin of the take fighting out of hockey crowd.
The fighting energized the game but it could had backfired on team U.S.A. all that fighting as it was only good if team U.S.A capitalized in winning the game. The Tkachuk brothers may have set the tone but it was Guentzel (which made me proud) followed by Larkin & Hellebuyck who are the guys who truly won the game. Unfortunately, the crappy hockey media only gives credit to certain players while everyone else is just tokens.
@FeeltheThunder – Setting the tone is a much bigger part of the game than you seem to think. And who is not giving the other players credit?
No I’m not underestimating setting the tone as that’s important but it’s not the be all end all like you’re making it out to be. As for the hockey media & it’s bias narratives, the only players that matter based on the media for team USA are the Tkachuk brothers, Auston Matthews & Jack Eichel. It’s no different for team Canada, it’s all about Sidney Crosby, Conor McDavid & Nathan MacKinnon. Everyone else is just there on these teams. It’s so blatantly obvious especially on ESPN (it’s gag inducing). The media does this crap all the time though.
How am I making that the be all and end all? Frankly, you seemed unhinged.
Now I’m “unhinged” lol?… How exactly?… Because I’m questioning you so you make a baseless accusation of me. Get over yourself, fool.
@G
He’s not exactly unhinged….a little soft in the middle, afraid of a little criticism and maybe a small man crush
@Grey – so now we’re going to belittling. Not surprised coming from you. It’s ironic you mention “a small man” as it describes your character in more ways than one.
You’re accusing someone of saying something that was never said and writing a polemic about it. Very strange behavior.
Go touch grass.
I didn’t accuse of anything originally but then you started making a big deal about the setting the tone remark & took issue with me criticizing the crappy media.
Honestly, you made the issues here. I was just commenting. But apparently I have “the strange behavior”…yeah whatever dude. You really have a boorish attitude.
I guess that’s what happens when you mess with Canadians
Canadians lost ya knucklehead
Pffft, talked shiettttt and now he’s injured
He didn’t just talk.
has he ever “just talked” lol
Matthew Tkachuk I’m sure will be fine.
The U.S. really controlled most of the game against Canada. The Tkachuk brothers were only relevant in the beginning of the game really. But it was Jake Guentzel who was the highlight against Canada followed by Dylan Larkin & Connor Hellabyck (who has been fantastic between the pipes). Some props to Charlie McAvoy for laying some nasty hits on Conor McDavid & Sidney Crosby.
I was a rather conflicted though being a big-time Tampa fan when Brandon Hagel & Matthew Tkachuk got into a fight as I’m a U.S. guy too lol. The fight was a draw though which I was fine with on that one. I actually don’t like the Tkachuk brothers but for team U.S.A. got to root for them being hockey’s rednecks on the ice but I was especially glad a Tampa guy in Guentzel was truly the top star against Canada but also the lead scorer for team U.S.A in this tournament.
Correction: Hellebuyck.
Oh yay, a longer more drawn out explanation of some drab, unprovoked point that you already made. Is Guentzel your guilty pleasure???
I keep forgetting that Guentzel is playing with the Lightning now. The two things just don’t seem to gel right in my head.
@Grey matter – No one forced you to read my comment fool. I was just stating what I thought & I wasn’t just talking about Guentzel either on the team. But I guess you need to feel like some “keyboard warrior” or whatever.
@HockeySenseNot – Guentzel has fit like a glove in Tampa but to your point, I can understand how some people find a certain player playing on a different team can be hard to grasp especially when he played for one team for close to half his career for example.
Lol
Yeah that’s what I meant. I know he is fitting in well, it’s just hard to picture him not in a Pens jersey.
It was hard losing Tkucky from the Flames, but he looks right at home in a Panthers jersey. Some players just suit certain colours maybe lol