4 Nations Focus: Matthew Tkachuk vs. FIN
Bash Brothers 2.0
Matthew Tkachuk’s playoff disappointments are a distant memory. Since his move to Florida, he’s helped the Panthers to two consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances (winning it all once) and developed a reputation as a clutch performer. A total 180 from his tenure in Calgary.
The agitating playmaker now seems poised to carry his recent big-game prowess over to the international stage, as he produced an inspired all-around showing vs. Finland on Thursday night.
To…pretty much no one’s surprise, he was the first skater to stir the pot:
His younger brother, Brady, would grab that mantle soon after, bringing such a potent dose of intensity and net drive that he replaced Kyle Connor on Matthew’s line in the second period.
Along with silky-smooth center Jack Eichel, the Tkachuk brothers wreaked havoc on the Finns for the remainder of the game. That began in transition. Tkachuk’s link-up play still doesn’t get the love it deserves. He (USA 19) figures among the craftiest NZ passers in hockey, continually hitting targets in stride so that his team can attack with tempo:
Few forwards are as adept at spotting speed differentials and stretching the action laterally in order for their teammates to fly up the ice. The last clip in the package above captures his timing and accuracy, as he gathers a loose puck and leads Eichel (USA 9) into space for a high-slot wrister.
NZ reset —> rush opportunity in seconds.
An even more impressive example of the 27-year-old’s connective passing yielded the team’s back-breaking 5-1 goal:
Following an entry denial by Jaccob Slavin (USA 74), Tkachuk feels as though Erik Haula (FIN 56) will disrupt his pickup. He closes off (hips turned into the backchecker’s frame) and lowers his stance to shield the biscuit, then one-touches a tape-to-tape, between-the-legs backhand pass to his brother. Finland fishes the puck out of its cage six seconds later.
Sure, Eichel puts some sweet sauce on his feed. Brady’s finish is nice as well. It’s Matthew who engineers the scoring sequence, though. Thanks to that pinpoint first pass under pressure, Brady can build the speed he requires to beat his mark (Nikolas Matinpalo, FIN 33) to the crease.
Speaking of blue ice, Matthew didn’t shy away from it either:
Tkachuk complemented his playmaking with a heavier approach in the deep slot. Boasting a 6’2”, 202-pound frame, excellent hand-eye coordination and clever positioning, he frequently wrestled the inside track away from Finland’s defenders.
His chemistry with Zach Werenski (USA 8) might be worth noting as the tournament progresses. The Norris candidate not only took over PP1 duties from Adam Fox but also did well to loft high, tippable wristers at the Panthers winger. That eventually paid off midway through the third period:
As a proficient goal-line passer, Tkachuk’s post enables him to disappear when the puck drifts back up the formation. Notice the ease with which he can cut in front of and trouble Juuse Saros (FIN 74) when he switches from strong-side low man to net presence. Clean look at Werenski’s point shot —> deflection —> dibs on the rebound —> 6-1 USA.
Although his teammates couldn’t convert on his direct dishes, virtually every other facet of his game was humming on Thursday. His transition and net-front play, in particular, were pivotal to his team’s four-goal third-period onslaught.
He was both conductor and tip of the spear—and Finland had no answers.
Overall, he posted 2 goals, 1 assist, 5 high-danger chances and an 85.6 xGF%.
Here are the full highlights: