Matthew Tkachuk, Sick Bastard, Played In Game 4 With A Broken Sternum. A Goddamn Broken Sternum
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You want to know what a hockey player looks like? His name is Matthew Tkachuk, and he's an absolute maniac.
Can you imagine what a broken sternum feels like? It has to be the most excruciating pain ever. It has to completely debilitate you to the point where you can hardly even function. And according to reports, Matthew Tkachuk could hardly function on his own after the injury.
He needed to have somebody else tie his skates before the game.
He had to have Brady help him out of bed before heading to the rink.
All of that, and he still played in game 4. He logged 16:40 of ice time, threw 4 shots on net, and he couldn't even dress himself before the game. I mean Jesus Chris. I know these injury reports always come out after the Stanley Cup wraps up, but this is ridiculous.
Don't get me wrong. The biggest story of this Stanley Cup Final is Vegas completely out classing the Panthers from start to finish. They were bigger, they were faster, they were meaner, and they were just overall better. A gentleman's sweep and allowing the Panthers to pick up one more win in front of their home fans, mostly just so Vegas could win the Cup in front of theirs. But as soon as you move on from the Golden Knights, the biggest story of these entire playoffs is that Matthew Tkachuk is everything that a hockey player should aspire to be. Tough as nails, a little greasy, and can fill up the scoresheet just as much as he fills his opponents with rage. 7 more years with Tkachuk leading the way in South Florida, I think the Cats will be in a good spot for the future.