Matthew Tkachuk injured at Four Nations Face-Off.

It would appear that Team USA has lost one of their top forwards to injury.

There has been nothing officially announced just yet, but American forward Matthew Tkachuk has been notably absent from the ice during the third period of Saturday night's clash between Team USA and Team Canada.

Tkachuk initially hit the ice in the third but would eventually come off the ice early, while the rest of his linemates remained on the ice. This was only a minor indication that something was amiss, but more signs that something is wrong with Tkachuk have since popped up.

Tkachuk would go on to miss a number of shifts as his normal linemates continued to rotate out onto the ice, but the real cause for concern would come a little later.

During a television timeout Tkachuk would head out onto the ice for a brief skate to test whatever it is that is bothering him, and the results of that brief skate do not appear to have been positive. Tkachuk was seen talking to head coach John Tortorella after trying to skate during the television timeout, and since then he has been sitting at the end of the American bench and has not returned to the ice.

That Tkachuk is unable to play at all is not a good sign as you know he would be out there if it were at all possible for him to do so. It will be extremely interesting to see what implications this injury may have for Tkachuk in this tournament, as well as how it may impact his season beyond the tournament should it prove to be something serious.

Update: Speaking after the game, Matthew Tkachuk has claimed there is "no concern" regarding any potential injury in spite of the fact that he was glued to the bench in the third period.

Update 2: Tkachuk may be attempting to downplay the injury as Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan has confirmed that Tkachuk is indeed injured and his status is in question moving forward.