Matthew Tkachuk’s availability for the United States’ 4 Nations game against Sweden on Monday is in question due to a lower-body injury he sustained in a clash versus Canada.
That question might be easily answered, however, given that Saturday’s 3-1 victory over the Canadians allowed the Americans to clinch a spot in the tournament final in Boston on Thursday.
“Right now, he’s being evaluated by our doctors,” United States head coach Mike Sullivan said of the Florida Panthers forward on Saturday night. “That’s all I can offer. We’ll make decisions that we think is best for Matthew and we think is best for our team. Right now, I don’t have a lot of information to go on, so it’s hard for me to give you more.”
In his typical fashion, Tkachuk downplayed the injury after the game.
“No concern at all,” he said. “I feel good. Definitely way better after a win. Should be all good.”
Tkachuk abruptly ended a shift early in the third, then returned for one more later in the period before sitting out the remainder of the game against the Canadians.
Veteran forward Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers would draw into the lineup if Tkachuk is unable to play against the Swedes.
–Field Level Media
