Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk's wish came true and it's a big win for fans

The team announced the January 19 home game against San Jose will now start at 6 p.m., not the usual later window. It's a simple tweak, but it hits like a quality-of-life upgrade.

If you're a parent, a commuter, or just someone who hates crawling into bed after midnight, you already know why this matters. Earlier puck drops turn weeknights into something you can actually plan around.

The funny part is how this one connects to what Matthew Tkachuk was saying recently. He openly floated the idea that if a big Miami-area event landed that same night, the Panthers should shift their start time.

Now, did the NHL move it strictly because of that, who knows. But it's hard not to connect the dots, and it's honestly refreshing to see the league bend for the fans once in a while.

As a fan, I'm thrilled, because this is the rare fix that helps everyone without costing the team anything.

There's also a practical hockey angle here, because an earlier start can tighten the routine. Pre-game meals, warmups, and travel rhythms all get cleaner, especially if the week is packed.

One quick note, some schedule pages and ticket listings may still show the old time as the change filters through. If you're going, double-check your confirmation before you plan the whole night around it.

What I love most is the vibe this creates around the building. A 6 p.m. start can mean fuller lower bowl earlier, more energy in warmups, and a crowd that feels less like it's squeezing hockey into life.

And if Tkachuk did help nudge it, even indirectly, that's a pretty great use of star power. It's not a point on the stat sheet, but it's a win for the people who show up and make the place loud.