Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk spoke out after a successful return from injury in Game 1 against the Lightning.

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.

Matthew Tkachuk had two power-play goals and an assist in his first game after a two-month absence and the Florida Panthers opened defense of their Stanley Cup title with a 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night in the first game of the first-round playoff series.