Matthew Tkachuk injury update: Team USA star misses significant time in 2nd period vs. Canada in 4 Nations Championship

The Tkachuk brothers have become stars during the 4-Nations Face-Off. Everything started Saturday night against Canada when three fights broke out in the opening nine seconds. Matthew Tkachuk was first up against Brandon Hagel and since then, he has been the United States’ leader.

Flash forward to Thursday and there is an apparent injury for Tkachuk. He missed a significant amount of time in the second period against Canada in the championship game. According to the NHL, Tkachuk played just 24 seconds over the final 11:30.

“Another challenge here for the United States,” ESPN’s rink-side commentator Ray Ferraro said during the second period. “Matthew Tkachuk hasn’t been on the ice for seven minutes. Remember in Montreal on Saturday night, with 12 minutes left.

“He said to John Tortorella and the trainers, ‘I can’t go anymore.’ So Tkachuk sat on the edge of the bench. He sitting, now, right in the middle of the bench. Seven minutes, you’ve got to start to wonder if he’s healthy to go.”

Tkachuk’s health was a question coming in. As mentioned by Ferraro, during the first game against Canada, he told the USA medical staff that he could not continue. The decision to rest him against Sweden was an easy one since nothing was on the line. Tkachuk wanted to rest up and find himself at full strength for the championship game.

ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported before the game there was no doubt Tkachuk was going to play on Thursday. Both he and his brother, Brady, have stated this is one of the more important games of their lives. Unless Tkachuk was seriously injured, the Florida Panthers star was going to be out on the ice.

Being out in the fast-paced motion is completely different, though. His time on ice of 6:47 is currently the second lowest of any forward, only behind Chris Kreider. Not what you expect from somebody of Tkachuk’s caliber.

Watching whether or not Tkachuk gets back out there will be a massive story entering the third period. Not just for his on-ice ability but from a leadership standpoint too. Tkachuk plays on the USA’s top line alongside his brother and the captain, Auston Matthews.

Everything is on the line in the final 20 minutes. A game tied at two, one goal could be the difference behind taking home the 4-Nations Championship trophy or getting back into the NHL season with a real sour taste in your mouth.