NHL analyst defends Matthew Tkachuk critics amid ‘Tonight Show’ backlash

Matthew Tkachuk has never been one to shy away from the spotlight, and even an injury hasn’t kept him out of the headlines. The Florida Panthers star recently turned heads with an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, sparking both praise and criticism. While some fans appreciated his efforts to bring hockey into mainstream entertainment, others questioned his priorities. But NHL analyst Eric Engels had a clear message for the skeptics, Tkachuk is exactly what the sport needs right now.


Love him or hate him, Matthew Tkachuk is always in the spotlight. The Florida Panthers star recently made waves with an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon despite being sidelined with an injury. While many fans were eager to hear from the NHL superstar, others wasted no time criticizing him. But if you ask Sportsnet’s Eric Engels, those critics need to “shut up.”
The NHL analyst didn’t hold back, calling out the backlash against Tkachuk. “Perhaps the worst takes on this website full of awful takes are from the people going after Matthew Tkachuk for doing the @FallonTonight. This kid and his brother are doing wonders for elevating hockey right now—a sport that has desperately needed this buzz for decades,” Engels fired back. (via: EssentiallySports)
So, what’s the controversy all about? Tkachuk, still recovering from a lower-body injury sustained during the 4 Nations Face-Off, has yet to return to NHL action. But his late-night TV appearance had some fans questioning why he was out promoting the sport instead of focusing on his recovery. Addressing the injury on The Tonight Show, he simply said, “Yeah, I’m feeling better. Just recovering right now.” However, skeptics believe his absence from the ice is a calculated move to ensure he’s at full strength for the playoffs.
For Tkachuk, though, his priorities remain clear. Reflecting on his international competition, he said,“Last two weeks I was representing my country. Was something that I’ll never forget,” carefully steering away from the injury talk. He also expressed his excitement for the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he hopes to help Team USA end its gold medal drought.
But beyond the buzz of Tkachuk’s late-night appearance, what exactly did Engels mean when he praised Matthew and his brother Brady for transforming the game of hockey?

The 4 Nations Face-Off exceeded all expectations, delivering a spectacle that no one saw coming. While political tensions between the USA and Canada fueled the intensity, it was the Tkachuk brothers, Matthew and Brady, who stole the show. Their explosive showdown against Canada in the round-robin clash was more than just a game. It was a must-watch event that captivated an average of 10 million viewers across North America, surpassing the viewership of any non-Stanley Cup Final game since 2014.
But the real frenzy erupted when the Bash Brothers took center stage, bringing relentless aggression and fueling a media storm. By the time the highly anticipated finals arrived, the hype had reached its peak, drawing in an astonishing 16 million viewers. That number made it the second most-watched hockey game in the past decade, trailing only Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals, which reached 16.3 million viewers. And the common link between both? Matthew Tkachuk. No surprises there.
This proves Engels was right. The energy, the spectacle, and the sheer passion the Tkachuk brothers ignited among American fans were undeniable. As for Matthew Tkachuk’s injury and his return, questions still linger. Only time will tell what comes next.