The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers are clashing in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, in a rematch of last year’s showdown in which the Panthers hoisted their first championship in franchise history. Ahead of the biggest series of the NHL season, blueliner Gustav Forsling sent a strong statement to his teammates, including Matthew Tkachuk and Brad Marchand.
The Panthers know what it takes to hoist the Stanley Cup, but it was a grueling journey, in which every lesson learned came with its fair share of bumps and bruises. The Cats would gladly do it all over again, though.
Tkachuk and company are just four wins away from a back-to-back championship in Sunrise. Marchand would win his second Cup, too, but his first since being crowned with the Bruins during the 2010-11 NHL season.
Forsling definitely knows the responsibility is riding on the Cats shoulders after last year’s championship over the Oilers. On that note, he made something crystal clear to Marchand, Tkachuk, and the rest of the squad, as they gear up for battle against the Oilers, led by McDavid and Draisaitl.
Brad Marchand #63 of the Florida Panthers heads out for the game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena on May 24, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida.
“Us against the world,” Panthers blueliner Gustav Forsling stated, per NHL.com. “It’s that kind of feeling.”
see also
NHL News: Paul Maurice sends a strong and unprecedented admission about coaching the Florida Panthers
Verhaeghe’s message
Carter Verhaeghe has become synonymous with clutch performances and goals in decisive stages since he joined the Panthers. Verhaeghe, a.k.a. ‘Mr. Clutch’ or ‘Swaggy’ in Florida, never fails to provide the fireworks in the biggest games for the Cardiac Cats, who continue their historic run in the NHL.
With such a pedigree and resumé in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the 2-time Stanley Cup champion is expected to make his presence felt during the series vs the Oilers, and he hopes to be surrounded by teammates who are in the same page, especially when walking into the hostile environment at Rogers Place, where no team is more despised right now than the Panthers.
“Going in there, it was one of the loudest buildings I’ve ever played in,” Verhaeghe admitted. “It gets really loud in there when they’re buzzing around in their own arena. It’s a really cool environment to play in. We’re just really excited. Last year gives us some experience.”
SurveyWho will win the Conn Smythe trophy?
Who will win the Conn Smythe trophy?
ALREADY VOTED 0 PEOPLE
Verhaeghe had a rocky performance during last year’s Stanley Cup Final, registering just 4 points in 7 games, though he came in clutch in Game 7 with a goal and an assist in the 2-1 victory. He’ll hope to have an even bigger impact this time around and help Florida establish a dominance over Edmonton in the final round.
