Matthew Tkachuk Plays Hometown Blues Tonight as a Cup Champ

For the first time in his career, Matthew Tkachuk will play a game in his hometown of St. Louis as a Stanley Cup champion when the Panthers play the Blues.

Tkachuk, born in Arizona but raised in St. Louis where his dad Keith was a star with the Blues, spent a lot of time in Missouri following Florida’s Stanley Cup run.

In July, Tkachuk brought the Stanley Cup home and took it on a full tour of the city.

Aside from a stop at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, the Cup also visited the Budweiser brewery and the famous Clydesdales, his former schools, as well as local fire and police departments.

Tkachuk did not have the Cup with him on Thursday.

“It was so much fun,’’ Tkachuk said after morning skate. “It was one of the highlights of my summer, for sure. I didn’t have that much notice since I was one of the first ones to have it, so, I had like a week to plan it all. I was super lucky to get a day-and-a-half with it, so I tried to cram in as much as I could. I did everything I wanted to and more.’’

Tkachuk took the Cup around to see countless people in St. Louis, some of whom thanked him for that when they saw him Wednesday when the Panthers got into town.

With the Panthers not flying home until Friday, he’ll get an extended stay in his hometown.

“It’s incredible,’’ Tkachuk said. “Even yesterday, it’s so good to be back, seeing friends and family, and I’ll see more tonight and after the game here. It’s always so special coming back, and as a champion, that’s pretty cool.’’

ON DECK: GAME No. 56

FLORIDA PANTHERS at ST. LOUIS BLUES 

• When: Thursday, 8 p.m.
• Where: Enterprise Center, St. Louis
• Local TV: Scripps Sports — WSFL 39 (Miami/FtL); WHDT 9 (WPB); LAFF 36.3 (SWFla)
• Streaming: Panthers+, ESPN+
• Radio: WPOW 96.5-FM2; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
• Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
• This Season (Panthers Lead 1-0) — At Florida: Panthers 2, Blues 1 (Dec. 20). At St. Louis: Thursday.
• Last Season: Even 1-1
• All-time Regular Season Series: St. Louis leads 27-14-1, 3 ties
• Up Next for the Panthers: Saturday vs. Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.