Paul Maurice Hints at Matthew Tkachuk's Status Ahead of Potential Playoff Showdown With Maple Leafs

It's been almost two months since Matthew Tkachuk played in a game after suffering a serious injury during the 4 Nations Face-Off, with speculation that not only was his regular season over, but so would his playoff aspirations.

Florida has struggled without him, and while the Panthers are still able to keep hold a playoff spot in his absence, they are going to have a tough time especially going up against the Toronto Maple Leafs; who have revenge and are as hungry as ever to prove their worth.

So it's gotta be a bit scary for Toronto to know that Tkachuk will most likely suit up in the first round and could be in a world of hurt; at least according to head coach Paul Maurice.

Tkachuk had been seen skating at practices and doing some on-ice work in order to get himself back to game strength, and Maurice saying he can return to practice next week at full capacity means he's one step closer to returning.

Which would be a great thing for the Panthers in their quest for a Stanley Cup repeat, and could spell disaster for the Maple Leafs. Toronto already has a tough time with the likes of Sasha Barkov and Sam Bennett; not to mention Brad Marchand. To add Tkachuk back in makes that first round matchup terrifying.

This season, Tkachuk has 57 points in 52 games and was on pace to have another fantastic season before the injury derailed him.

But his return would spark Florida again and create a huge shakeup in the Atlantic, as there's no telling how good the Panthers are going to be once he's back.

That's bad news for the Maple Leafs if they face Florida in the first round, and best hope that Tkachuk returns when it's too late for the Panthers, and not just when they need him the most.