Florida Panthers Star Matthew Tkachuk is a Stanley Cup master, but it’s not even close to being the most memorable moment of his hockey career.
NHL Veteran showed up on the “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” Monday to discuss the 4 Nations Face-off final, which ended in heartache for Americans after a 3-2 overtime loss to Canada.
Team USA Forward Matthew Tkachuk, #19, celebrates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-off Ice Hockey Games at the Bell Center. (David Kirouac-Preferred Pictures)
Tkachuk reflected on the tournament, which he had previously called the “biggest game” he has ever played in.
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“The last two weeks representing my country was something I will never forget,” he said.
In his second season with Panthers helped Tkachuk Panthers back to the Stanley Cup final in the second year when they defeated Edmonton Oilers In seven games to be 2024 Stanley Cup Champions – a first for Tkachuk.
Still, Tkachuk was firm that playing for the United States in 4 Nations Face-off was still the biggest game of his career.
“It was really such a big tournament and such a huge scene and something I will never forget,” he told Fallon.
Team USA Forward Matthew Tkachuk, #19, celebrates with defender Zach Werenski, #8, his goal against Team Finland during the third period during a 4 Nations Face-off Ice Hockey Game in Bell Center on February 13, 2025. (David Kirouac-Preferred Pictures)
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“What I am most proud of with that team was how much pride we showed by representing our country and being Americans. We are so lucky to be from this great country and be able to represent [that]”
He continued, “just to be able to represent and look down and see USA crest – there’s nothing that will beat it. So it’s incredible.”
Last week’s last came in the middle of increased political tensions Between Canada and the United States President Donald Trump teased Canadian lawmakers that the country was its “51st State.” He also openly called Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the “Governor” in Canada and threatened A number of tariffs.
The intensity led to Canadian fans lived the US national anthem before two matches in the tournament – something that burned Team USA on the ice.
Team United States Forward Matthew Tkachuk, #19, and Team Canada Forward Brandon Hagel, #38, fight in the first period in a 4 Nations Face-off Ice Hockey Game in Bell Center. (Eric Bolt-Preferred Pictures)
The 4 Nations Final pulled in massive ratings.
As the first best-in-best tournament of about a decade, the game was monitored by 16.1 million viewers in North America for the second most seen Hockey Game in the last decade.
The first? TKACHUKS GAME 7 in the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals, which withdrew in 16.3 million viewers.
