Matthew Tkachuk revealed he played through major injuries, including a torn adductor muscle and a hernia, as he led the Florida Panthers to a second straight Stanley Cup victory. Despite suffering these injuries earlier in the season, Tkachuk tallied 23 points during the playoffs and scored the decisive goal in Game 6. His coach described the state of Tkachuk's health as a 'mess.' Tkachuk expressed gratitude for the support he received from trainers and his fiancée during this challenging time, indicating the personal struggles he faced while contributing to his team's success.
I wanted to throw in the towel a bunch of times. I got to thank a lot of people for getting me healthy enough.
He was a mess. That's the medical term: He was a mess,
Tkachuk recorded 23 points (8g, 15a) in 23 playoff games during this run for the Panthers, tying Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe for the team's postseason lead.
Tkachuk is only the sixth player in the NHL's expansion era to lead a repeat Stanley Cup champion in points during each playoff run.
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