TAMPA -- Matthew Tkachuk returned for the Florida Panthers against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round at Amalie Arena on Tuesday.

Tkachuk had an average ice time of just 13:42 per game in the Lightning series, nearly four-and-a-half minutes lower than his regular-season average of 18:14.

Matthew Tkachuk was back for the first time in ... line for practice Monday and the skate on Tuesday, alongside Mackie Samoskevich and Sam Bennett — his linemates for Game 1 as well.

TAMPA — Matthew Tkachuk is back. Surprise ... Tkachuk will start on Florida’s second line with Sam Bennett and Mackie Samoskevich against the host Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 tonight.

That could change if the Panthers opt to move Brad Marchand up to play alongside Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk later in the playoffs. Samoskevich has been good in his first full NHL campaign ...

(AP) — Matthew Tkachuk is back in the Florida Panthers' lineup ... He was on Florida's second line for practice Monday and the skate on Tuesday, alongside Mackie Samoskevich and Sam Bennett. And Game ...

Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk, who missed the last 25 games of the regular season due to injury, scored a pair of goals in his return as Florida beat Tampa Bay in Game 1 of the opening round.

He was on Florida's second line for practice Monday and the skate on Tuesday, alongside Mackie Samoskevich and Sam Bennett — his linemates for Game 1 as well. And Game 1 also marked Tkachuk's ...