Panthers Face Predators Without Matthew Tkachuk – Can They Keep Rolling?

The Florida Panthers are heading into a critical matchup against the Nashville Predators, but they’ll have to do it without one of their biggest stars. Matthew Tkachuk, a key force on Florida’s offense, is out indefinitely with a groin injury, leaving the team to prove they can still dominate without him.

Meanwhile, the Predators are struggling to salvage something from a season that has been anything but successful. As the two teams clash on Tuesday night, one will look to solidify their playoff position, while the other is simply searching for hope.

Tkachuk’s Injury Puts Panthers to the Test

The Panthers are currently sitting near the top of the Atlantic Division, trailing just one point behind the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, the absence of Tkachuk—who ranks second on the team with 57 points—raises questions about how Florida will fare down the stretch.

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice addressed the situation, stating on the Joe Rose Show that Tkachuk’s injury is likely long-term, but he is expected to return before the season ends.

“We’re hoping it’s not too serious,” Maurice said, leaving the door open for a potential comeback before or during the playoffs.

Without Tkachuk, Florida’s offense took a hit in Saturday’s 2-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken. The team managed only 27 shots, with Eetu Luostarinen scoring the lone goal. Despite the setback, Luostarinen remains optimistic.

“We had our chances. We can just improve from this,” he said.

Why Florida Still Has the Upper Hand Against Nashville

Even without Tkachuk, the Panthers should feel confident about bouncing back against the struggling Predators. In their last meeting on November 7, Florida dominated Nashville 6-2, fueled by Carter Verhaeghe’s two goals and Sam Reinhart’s 31st tally of the season.

Now, the Panthers will aim to replicate that success against a Predators team that has found itself near the bottom of the Western Conference standings.

With just 47 points on the season, Nashville sits ahead of only Chicago and San Jose—two teams clearly in rebuilding mode. After dropping six straight games, the Predators had a brief glimmer of hope with two wins, only to be shut out 5-0 by the New Jersey Devils on Sunday.

Veteran forward Ryan O’Reilly didn’t sugarcoat his frustration.

“It’s one of the toughest years I’ve been part of, coming in with so much expectation and just not living up to it,” O’Reilly admitted.

“It hasn’t been fun, but we still have a lot of hockey left. We have to try to build on something here, and we’re not going to quit.”

Scoring Woes Continue to Haunt the Predators

Nashville has struggled offensively all season, ranking among the NHL’s lowest-scoring teams with just 2.59 goals per game. Their recent form hasn’t helped either, managing only 18 goals in their last nine games.

Big-name offseason acquisition Steven Stamkos is in the middle of a career-worst nine-game point drought. Head coach Andrew Brunette sympathized with his team’s struggles but acknowledged the need for change.

“I really feel for the group,” Brunette said after the team’s eighth shutout loss of the season.

Stamkos did score against Florida in their last matchup, and Filip Forsberg—Nashville’s points leader with 53—had an assist in that game. But both have gone cold lately, with Forsberg being blanked in six of his last eight outings.

Goaltending Could Be the Difference-Maker

If there’s one bright spot for Nashville, it’s Juuse Saros. The goaltender rebounded with a 31-save performance in a 2-1 win over Colorado on Saturday, after conceding 10 goals in his previous two games.

On the other side, Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky has been lights out in recent weeks. Over his last seven starts, he’s racked up five wins, a stellar 1.74 goals-against average, and a .933 save percentage.

And if the Panthers need a backup plan? Spencer Knight has been just as solid, going 5-2-0 with a 1.84 GAA and a .935 save percentage since the start of 2025.

Boost your NHL betting game! 🏒💰 Get expert tips and strategies in this NHL Betting Guide and start making smarter bets today!

Final Thoughts: Will Florida Stay on Top?

Despite missing their superstar, the Panthers have the depth and goaltending to keep their momentum rolling. The Predators, on the other hand, are searching for anything to build on as their season continues to spiral.

Will Florida dominate Nashville once again, or can the Predators pull off an upset? Either way, Tuesday’s matchup will reveal a lot about both teams as they head into the final stretch of the season.

Nashville Predators vs Florida Panthers Picks and Predictions February 25th 2025