St. Louis Proud: Matthew Tkachuk’s NHL Playoff Success
By David Crum
Although Matthew Tkachuk has never had the opportunity to wear a St. Louis Blues jersey, his father, Keith Tkachuk, continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Blues fans as one of their all-time favorites.
Naturally, many Blues fans follow the careers of brothers Matthew and Brady Tkachuk.
Both brothers, raised in St. Louis, have become stars for their respective teams, Matthew playing for the Florida Panthers and Brady with the Ottawa Senators.
Matthew Tkachuk is proving to be a difference-maker for the Panthers
The Florida Panthers have a roster filled with impressive talent. Tkachuk ended the regular season with 88 points, just below Sam Reinhart, who recorded 94 points.
Tkachuk’s exceptional play during the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs has earned him 13 points, putting him in a tie for third in total points in the league.
Tkachuk’s Panthers have a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Boston Bruins in the second round of the playoffs.
On Tuesday, the Panthers will play the fifth game at home, which will give them the chance to secure a series victory.
Tkachuk’s success is no surprise
Tkachuk has been a consistent star since beginning his career with the Calgary Flames. His most productive years to date were 2021-22 (104 points) in Calgary, followed by 2022-23 (109 points) in Florida.
Although his goals were lower this year in regular-season play, immense talent on the Panthers roster provides a valid explanation for the decline in these specific statistics.
Tkachuk experienced championship play last year, losing to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Panthers are eager to return to the Stanley Cup, and many analysts favor them as a team that could easily win it all.
Although they might not openly admit it, many St. Louis Blues fans will secretly root for the Panthers. It helps that former St. Louis Blues star Vladimir Tarasenko also suits up for Florida.