Matthew Tkachuk Faces Heavy Criticism for a Selfish Decision That Cost His Star Teammate
A bold decision by Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk is making waves today, following Canada's victory in Boston. Personally, even though I don't necessarily agree with his recent on-camera antics, I find it hard to blame him for this. However, he is facing heavy criticism today.
Why? Mainly because he decided to play yesterday's game and insisted on being in the lineup, despite being clearly injured.
Tony Marinaro also briefly discussed this during his key segment of the day on BPM Sports.
In the end, Matthew Tkachuk played six painful minutes, and ultimately, his decision to play forced Team USA to remove Kyle Connor from the lineup.
A decision by Matthew Tkachuk that sparks debate and penalizes his teammate Kyle Connor
Some say it was a selfish decision. Personally, I believe he just wanted to give it his all. But the result was that it was not a good decision for Team USA, which was forced to play with 11 forwards for the vast majority of the game.
And even if Tkachuk had been able to play more than six minutes, I truly believe that a 100% healthy Kyle Connor is, by far, better than a Matthew Tkachuk at 60 or 70%.
"Kyle Connor should have, without question, played last night."
"I know Kyle Connor hasn't been at his best in this event, but I'm not leaving out a guy with that kind of talent in a game where one shot, one play, can make the difference."
There's also this:
"No American skater has more goals or points than Kyle Connor this season in the NHL.
And yet, he's watching from the stands for the biggest game.
Unbelievable times."
| POLL |
14 HOURS AGO | 1743 ANSWERS Matthew Tkachuk Faces Heavy Criticism for a Selfish Decision That Cost His Star Teammate Was Matthew Tkachuk Selfish for Playing Injured While Kyle Connor Was Healthy? |
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10 hours ago | By Elias Edmonson Jordan Binnington Reveals What Was Said in the Locker Room That Turned His Game Around |
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16 hours ago | By Elias Adaime Panthers Confirm the Worst for Matthew Tkachuk and Announce a Major Change |
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18 hours ago | By Elias Adaime J.T. Miller Throws Teammate Matthew Tkachuk Under the Bus for His Comment |
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19 hours ago | By Elias Adaime Brady Tkachuk Shares Concerning Update on Brother Matthew, And It Doesn't Look Good |
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20 hours ago | By Elias Adaime Brandon Hagel Takes One Last Jab at Matthew Tkachuk and Team USA After Canada's Victory |
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22 hours ago | By L. Honein Brad Marchand Fires Back at Matthew Tkachuk Live on TV After Canada's Thrilling OT Win |
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Feb 20 | By Elias Adaime Surprising Development in Jordan Binnington Trade Talks for the Blues, Per The Athletic |
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Feb 20 | By Elias Adaime Canadiens Mourn the Passing of Legendary Hockey Broadcaster Mike Lange and Release Statement |
Previously on HabsFanatics
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team United States at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531078.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team United States at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530954.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates scoring against Team Canada during the first period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530884.webp "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates scoring against Team Canada during the first period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images")
![Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) during the second period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530730.webp "Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) during the second period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images")
