The Florida Panthers are locked in a tight three-way race for the Atlantic Division title alongside the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning. With less than 10 games remaining for each team, the Panthers currently sit in third place—tied on points with the Lightning and trailing the Maple Leafs by three.

Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice has said that the team hopes to have Tkachuk back in the lineup sometime during the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which are set to begin during the third weekend in April.

Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk has hit the ice for the first time since the injury but he is still not going to return until the playoffs.