Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers Discloses Bad Injury Sustained During Stanley Cup Finals.
In a shocking revelation, Tkachuk reported suffering a broken sternum, speculated to be from a powerful hit dealt by Keegan Kolesar in Game Three.
Tkachuk's Painful Week in Detail
The pain from the broken sternum was so intense that Tkachuk had to enlist the help of his younger brother, Brady, for even the most basic physical tasks.
"The next few days were pretty rough...My brother was staying with me, has to get me out of bed, he's getting me dressed...guys tying my skates, putting on my jersey."
The injury rendered Tkachuk incapable of dressing himself or tying his skates, and it ultimately led to him sitting out Game Five. The Vegas team seized this opportunity to win their first-ever Stanley Cup.
Tkachuk isn't the first NHL player to experience a broken sternum in a Stanley Cup Playoff Series. In the previous year's Cup Final, Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard suffered a similar injury. Despite this, the Avs managed to defeat the Lightning in six games.
Anticipated Return Time
Recovery from a broken sternum typically takes between 8-12 weeks, so fans can expect Tkachuk to be back at full strength for the Panthers training camp in September.
