Matthew Tkachuk Talks Injury, Team USA on The Tonight Show

Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk made his first appearance on the late night talk show circuit Monday, joining The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in New York.

Tkachuk joined Fallon on the Tonight Show less than a week after ending his run with Team USA at the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off.

Fallon, playing the role of intrepid beat writer, came right out with the question hockey fans throughout South Florida have been clamoring to hear: Just wanted to make sure, is everything OK?

“Yeah, I’m feeling better,” Tkachuk said. “Just recovering right now. But, the last two weeks representing my country was something that I’ll never forget.”

Tkachuk, in case you had not heard, was injured at the 4 Nations tournament.

He played in three of the four games but was limited in the two against Canada.

On Monday, Florida coach Paul Maurice said Tkachuk’s injury — which is believed to be a groin issue — was not expected to be season-ending.

Tkachuk was able to be in New York for the Tonight Show because of the injury; he did not travel with the Panthers to Nashville and obviously will not play against the Predators on Tuesday.

On the Tonight Show, Fallon talked about the 4 Nations tournament, being teammates with brother Brady, and the reaction from his dad Keith when the Panthers won the Stanley Cup in Game 7 last June.

“I think that’s the only time I have seen him cry,” Tkachuk said of his dad. “My brother was crying too, which I haven’t seen him cry since we were playing mini-sticks in the basement and throwing him through the walls.’’

Fallon mentioned that Tkachuk was quoted as saying that last week’s championship game between the USA and Canada was the biggest game he had played in — noting that Tkachuk won the Stanley Cup in Game 7 with the Panthers.

“Yeah,” Tkachuk said. “It really was such a big tournament and such a huge stage. It’s something I will never forget. The thing I am most proud of with that team was how much pride we showed in representing our country and being Americans. We’re so lucky to be from this great country and to be able to represent and look down, see that USA crest. Nothing will beat that.’’

Tkachuk also called his All-Star appearance with Brady as “fake.’’

He did win a car for being MVP of that 2023 All-Star Game in Sunrise.

ON DECK: GAME No. 59

FLORIDA PANTHERS at NASHVILLE PREDATORS 

• When: Tuesday, 8 p.m.
• Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville
• Local TV: Scripps Sports — WSFL 39 (Miami/FTL); WHDT 9 (WPB); LAFF 36.3 (Naples/FTM)
• 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
• Season Series (Panthers Lead 1-0) — At Nashville: Feb. 25. At Florida: Panthers 6, Predators 2 (Nov. 7).
• Last Season: Split 1-1
• All-time Regular Season Series: Florida leads 23-15-6, 3 ties
• Up Next for the Panthers: Thursday vs. Edmonton Oilers, 7 p.m.