Prior to being injured, Tkachuk ranked second on the Panthers in scoring with 57 points (22 goals, 35 assists), including cracking the scoresheet in seven of his final eight games.

He’s also been nothing short of a beast in the playoffs.

Over the course of Florida’s back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final, the 27-year-old terror has accumulated a team-leading 46 points (17 goals, 29 assists) and 130 hits.

During last year’s Cup run, he finished tied for the team scoring lead with 22 points.

Outside of his offensive production, Tkachuk also makes an impact on the bench.

“They’re leaders for a reason,” Maurice said of Tkachuk, one of Florida’s alternate captains. “With all of them, it’s their presence in the room, their presence in the game. Matthew’s strength is obviously his hands, but also his emotional understanding of the game.”

Always bringing his best against Tampa Bay, Tkachuk has produced at better than a point-per-game pace in his career against the Lightning, posting 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 18 games.

Still hoping to get No. 19 back in the lineup for Game 1, the Panthers will drop the puck against the Lightning at 8:30 p.m. ET tonight on Scripps Sports and ESPN.

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