On Tuesday afternoon, the Florida Panthers announced that Tkachuk had been taken off injured reserve. The announcement came just four hours before Game 1 between the Panthers and Lightning from Tampa Bay. It's been just over three months since Tkahcuk has played a hockey game and closer to four months since he last suited up for the Panthers.

He’s got to get through the morning skate tomorrow,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said after Monday’s practice. “We’re still monitoring the recovery off the practice.

: The Panthers have officially taken Matthew Tkachuk off of the Injured Reserve. All signs point to Tkachuk suiting up for Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning this evening. Read below for our earlier report on this developing story.