NHL News: Panthers’ Matthew Tkachuk makes bold claim ahead of Stanley Cup Final vs Oilers

With the Stanley Cup Final set to begin, Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers are back on hockey’s biggest stage for a third consecutive year—this time defending their 2024 title in a rematch against the Edmonton Oilers. But despite their championship pedigree, Tkachuk insists the team remains grounded in the mentality that first propelled them to the top.

Instead of embracing the swagger of reigning champions, the Panthers are choosing a humbler identity. It’s a mindset that might seem at odds with their success, but it reflects the gritty, unrelenting brand of hockey they’ve played throughout the postseason.

According to Tkachuk, the underdog spirit continues to drive them. “Absolutely. We’ll continue riding that underdog role. ” Tkachuk told ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski in a media session this week.

Oilers open as favorites

While Florida triumphed over Edmonton in a thrilling seven-game series last June, the narrative entering this year’s final has shifted. Oilers posted a stronger regular season—tallying 101 points to Florida’s 98—and will benefit from home-ice advantage when the series kicks off on Wednesday.

Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers celebrates after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center on May 28, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Tkachuk acknowledged the challenge ahead: “They’ve earned the right to have home ice. They had a better regular season than us, so we’re here starting in Edmonton,” he said. “It’s not something that we’re new to. We’ve started on the road each round in these playoffs. Hopefully, we can use that [experience] to our advantage”.

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The drive to repeat

The Panthers may be the defending champions, but they’re far from complacent. Asked what fuels their desire to return to the mountaintop, Tkachuk didn’t mince words.

“I mean, it’s the Stanley Cup. It’s the most motivating thing in sports,” he responded. “We’re not content with just going to the finals. We want to be a championship-caliber team, year in and year out”.

Florida punched its ticket to the Final by eliminating the Lightning, Maple Leafs, and Hurricanes, while the Oilers tore through the Kings, Golden Knights, and Stars in dominant fashion. Game 1 gets underway at 8 p.m. ET in Edmonton, where the Panthers will again lean on their playoff-tested resilience—and their belief in the power of being underestimated.