Brad Marchand’s key teammate makes big admission about Panthers’ win over Auston Matthews’ Maple Leafs in latest NHL Playoffs

While some time has passed since the Florida Panthers’ memorable triumph over the Auston Matthews‘ Toronto Maple Leafs in the latest NHL Playoffs, a lot has happened since then. According to a key teammate of Brad Marchand, the outcome for his team could have been drastically different had the Canadian side come out on top during a pivotal moment in the series.

Anton Lundell — one of the standout players on this team alongside stars like Matthew Tkachuk — is still riding the wave of joy after the championship. However, judging by some of his recent comments, the ending could have been completely different for the Panthers.

In a recent appearance on 32 Thoughts: The Podcast during the NHL’s European Media Tour in Italy, Lundell reflected on the championship win — but made it clear that there could have been a turning point in Game 3 of the series.

“Obviously, they were such a good team, like, it was a hard series. I mean, they were up in Game 3, 3-1 in the second or something, and when we won that game, that was the game-changer.“

Anton Lundell #15 of the Florida Panthers celebrates with the Stanley Cup.

He also added: “We were like, ‘Okay, now it’s our time to press the gas, now we go.’ But I got to say, if we were to lose that game, it could’ve been a different series for sure.“

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The secret behind the win

Becoming an NHL champion is no small feat — in fact, it’s a privilege reserved for very few. Confidence is just one of the many key factors a team needs to navigate games of this magnitude, and according to Lundell, it was precisely that confidence that helped his Panthers overcome Auston Matthews’ team.

“I think there was always a little pressure, but I got to say, somehow we were so confident that we were going to turn the series over because we felt like in every game, we were the better team, but we lost. So we believed that in seven games, we should be able to win four.”

Lundell’s impact in the Finals

The Florida Panthers’ victory in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, their second consecutive championship, was a testament to their team depth and the consistent performance of players like Anton Lundell. The 23-year-old center was a driving force throughout the series, demonstrating his two-way prowess and ability to deliver in crucial moments.

In the seven-game series against the Edmonton Oilers, Lundell was a key contributor, not only logging four assists but also scoring a critical goal in the Game 4 loss. His offensive production, combined with a team-leading plus-19 rating in the playoffs, solidified his role as an indispensable piece of the Panthers’ championship core.