Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk will end a five-game absence on Tuesday when he takes the ice against the Minnesota Wild in Sunrise, Florida. Tkachuk reportedly was sidelined because of an illness;

SUNRISE, Fla. – Matthew Tkachuk will return to the lineup when the Florida Panthers close out their homestand against the Minnesota Wild at Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday. Tkachuk has missed the previous five games with an illness. "I'm feeling good right now,” Tkachuk said. “Ready to get back in the lineup and help."

The Florida Panthers have fared relatively well without the services of their two best players over the last week — but reinforcements are on the way. Matthew Tkachuk, who has missed the last five games because of an illness,

Now, with no setbacks in the time since, Tkachuk will be returning to the Panthers lineup. He’ll likely slide back onto a line with Sam Bennett and Carter Verhaeghe, where he skated on Monday in Fort Lauderdale. Tkachuk will also slide back onto his usual spot on Florida’s top power play.

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The Florida Panthers will be without forward Matthew Tkachuk for about another week because of an illness, meaning he could wind up missing at least six games.

The Florida Panthers are set to wrap up their three-game homestand in what should be a good matchup of two teams that play similar styles of hockey. Florida will welcome the Minnesota Wild to Amerant Bank Arena for what will be the Cats last home game for more than two weeks.