"But if we're going to be real, San Jose Sharks defenceman Vincent Desharnais had the better return to action. Not only did he score a goal in his return, but he also had himself a highlight reel open-ice hit on Matthew Tkachuk. And he won a fight against Tkachuk. Safe to say it wasn't the impact that Matthew Tkachuk had hoped to make upon his return, especially with his Florida Panthers having just thirty-four games left to claim and solidify a playoff spot."
"Considering that Matthew Tkachuk only just played his first game all season, it might take a little bit of time to properly acclimate him into the Florida Panthers' constantly-evolving and injury-hampered lineup. And with the Winter Olympics, where Matthew Tkachuk is set to join Team USA for the men's hockey tournament, right around the corner, there's a decent chance that Matthew Tkachuk doesn't perform like he did before until the calendar hits March. And that's ... fine?"
"The Florida Panthers did manage to remain in contention for a playoff spot even with their not-so-great start; despite sitting in seventh in the Atlantic Division, Florida's 53 points (stemming from a 25-20-3 record) has them just four back of the Buffalo Sabres for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. But with Buffalo on an insane winning run, Florida has to respond in kind;"
Vincent Desharnais scored, delivered a highlight-reel open-ice hit on Matthew Tkachuk, and won a fight in his return, while the Florida Panthers lost 4-1 to the San Jose Sharks. Matthew Tkachuk made his first appearance of the season but may require time to acclimate to the Panthers' evolving, injury-hampered lineup. The upcoming Winter Olympics with Team USA could delay a return to peak form until March. Florida sits seventh in the Atlantic Division with 53 points (25-20-3), four points behind the Buffalo Sabres for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot, and needs a response to Buffalo's winning run.
Read at Puck Prose
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]