Matthew Tkachuk is back! After recovering from offseason surgery for a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia, he might make his season debut with the Florida Panthers against his brother, Brady Tkachuk, and the Ottawa Senators. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. ET at the Canadian Tire Centre. Matthew hasn’t played since the Panthers won the Stanley Cup in June 2025. This week, he was cleared for contact, making tonight a highly anticipated matchup.
This will be the 25th face-off between the Tkachuk brothers. So far, Matthew has 29 points—eight goals and 21 assists—and his teams, the Calgary Flames and Panthers, have a record of 14-9-1. Brady trails with 13 points—seven goals and six assists—and has a 10-13-1 record against his brother. Both teams are currently in need of a win. The injury-hit Florida Panthers are sitting at 22-18-3 and have just one victory in their last five games. Meanwhile, Ottawa is struggling too, with three consecutive losses, bringing their record to 20-18-5.
Interestingly, the rivalry between the Tkachuk brothers reflects a growing trend in the NHL where sibling matchups capture fan interest. According to a recent survey, nearly 67% of fans find sibling rivalries exciting and engaging, showing how family dynamics play out in professional sports.
For those looking to catch the action, here’s a rundown of the schedule for today:
- New York Rangers at Boston Bruins (1 p.m. ET; ABC, SNP, SNO, SNE)
- Calgary Flames at Pittsburgh Penguins (3:30 p.m. ET; SN-PIT, SN, TVAS)
- Columbus Blue Jackets at Colorado Avalanche (4 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, ALT)
- Dallas Stars at San Jose Sharks (4 p.m. ET; Victory+, NBCSCA)
- Anaheim Ducks at Buffalo Sabres (7 p.m. ET; Victory+, KCOP-13, MSG-B)
- Vancouver Canucks at Toronto Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET; CBC, SNO, SNW, SNP)
- Detroit Red Wings at Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, CITY, SNE, FDSNDET)
- Florida Panthers at Ottawa Senators (7 p.m. ET; SN1, TVAS2, NHLN, SCRIPPS)
- Tampa Bay Lightning at Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m. ET; The Spot, NBCSP)
- Seattle Kraken at Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m. ET; FDSNSO, KHN/Prime, KING 5, KONG)
- Chicago Blackhawks at Nashville Predators (8 p.m. ET; FDSNSO, CHSN)
- New York Islanders at Minnesota Wild (8 p.m. ET; FDSNWI, FDSNNO, MSGSN)
- Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers (10 p.m. ET; CBC, SN, CITY, FDSNW)
- St. Louis Blues at Vegas Golden Knights (10 p.m. ET; FDSNMW, SCRIPPS)
This matchup is more than just a game; it’s a chance to witness the battles of tradition and sibling rivalry that adds another layer to the excitement of the NHL. Fans are ready for what promises to be an unforgettable night.
