LAS VEGAS — Florida star forward Matthew Tkachuk, injured earlier in the series, will not play in Tuesday's Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena, where the Panthers will look to avoid elimination and force a Game 6 vs.
the Vegas Golden Knights. Forward Grigori Denisenko will take the place of Tkachuk, Florida's leading scorer in the postseason as the Panthers look to begin the road back in a series they trail, 3-1, with the Stanley Cup in the building.
Earlier in the day, Florida coach Paul Maurice told reporters he had decided on whether or not Tkachuk would play, he just didn't want to share his decision.
Maurice said Tkachuk's status would be revealed right before puck drop in Las Vegas, where Florida faces elimination. Tkachuk leads the Panthers in goals (11) and points (24).