Matthew Tkachuk played through a torn adductor and hernia to win the Stanley Cup—now faces surgery decision
Photo byWhen the Florida Panthers clinched their second straight Stanley Cup on June 21 with a commanding 5-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers, few realized just how much pain one of their stars had endured to help bring the championship home.
Matthew Tkachuk revealed after Game 6 that he had played through a torn adductor and a hernia for the entire 2025 postseason. The injury, which dates back to February, didn't stop him from tallying 23 points across 23 games. Now, as the celebrations cool off, Tkachuk faces an uncertain summer—one that may include surgery.
The Panthers star revealed the full extent of his injury after Florida clinched back-to-back championships—his offseason now hinges on a 50-50 call about surgery
Matthew Tkachuk
first sustained the injury during the Four Nations Face-Off on February 17, when he was representing Team USA in a 3-1 win over Canada.
It was the third period of that international showdown when things went wrong. Speaking to reporters after Saturday night's Stanley Cup clincher in Sunrise, Florida, the 27-year-old said, 'I feel good. Definitely way better after a win. Should be all good.'
But the road back wasn't as straightforward. Following the injury, Tkachuk missed the final 25 games of the regular season. At the time, the Panthers only publicly described it as a groin issue.
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On March 3, general manager Bill Zito told reporters, 'Matthew's going to be out for an extended period of time. We hope to get him back for the playoffs.'
He returned just in time for the postseason, though his minutes were limited early on. In the first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tkachuk was kept under 14 minutes of ice time in three of five games as he worked his way back into form.
Despite the physical toll, Tkachuk delivered when it counted most—ending the playoffs with eight goals and 15 assists.
His final goal came in the opening period of the championship-clinching Game 6 against the Oilers.
Still, his offseason remains clouded with uncertainty. Speaking at the Panthers' post-game media availability on Saturday, Tkachuk shared,
'
It's 50-50 right now if I'll need surgery
,'
adding that he has more tests scheduled before a final decision is made. The recovery time for adductor surgery typically ranges from six to eight weeks.
Florida Panthers' Stanley Cup repeat: Grit, pain, and legacy
With the Panthers now cementing themselves as a modern-day dynasty—making the Stanley Cup Final three years in a row and winning it in back-to-back seasons—Tkachuk's toughness has become part of the team's larger legacy.
His postseason resilience is a reminder of just how far players push their limits when the Cup is on the line. Whether or not he ends up undergoing surgery, Tkachuk's performance in the 2025 playoffs will be remembered as one of the grittiest of his career.
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