[djsFlames]

Don't be fooled, he didn't get on the scoreboard much but Tkachuk had his fingerprints all over their success right up until he was taken out, and him going down had a lot to do with the turn in overall momentum of play.

It's a blow to the teams spirit. You immediately lose a handful of advantages you would draw with him in, the other team is a lot less bothered to be playing you, and he galvanizes the bench with his energy. Not to mention the Flames slot a lot less favorably without him in. He got the guys to go to war vs winnipeg and game one against Dallas.

Series might have had a pretty different complexion if he stayed healthy for it.