Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers remain one game away from a maiden Stanley Cup championship after getting shellacked 8-1 in their first try at eliminating the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. The Oil came to play in Game 4 at Rogers Place, but now they'll have to secure another victory in a place where they haven't triumphed once in 2023-24.
And Tkachuk is confident his club can close things out — and bring a first-ever championship to South Florida — at Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday night.
“Looking forward to my best game of the series,” the American superstar said after the morning skate, per The Miami Herald's Jordan McPherson. “The good part about us is it’s not about one guy or individuals here. We’ve got a chance to capture the biggest goal of our lives tonight and we’re gonna do that.”
It's a confident take from the 26-year-old, but the Panthers remain in the driver's seat despite Saturday's brutal defeat. Up 3-1 in the series, the Oilers would need to win three straight games — and two in Sunrise — to complete the reverse sweep.
Tkachuk added: “I think this two-day break was really good for us to reset, re-evaluate where we're at right now, and absolutely enjoy the position we're in. Couldn't have dreamed of a better spot.”
Although the power forward remains tied for sixth in playoff scoring with five goals and 20 points in 21 postseason contests, he's chipped in just one point in the Stanley Cup Final so far.
Matthew Tkachuk hasn't been quite as good as last postseason for Panthers
It's not quite as impressive as last season, when the former Calgary Flames forward amassed 11 goals and 24 points as the Panthers bowed out to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games in the 2023 SCF. He also happened to have four game-winners throughout the cinderella run, include three in overtime.
Despite a less heroic playoff from No. 19, head coach Paul Maurice has a ton of faith in one of his best players in 2024.
“I will throw this back to a comment earlier that you become desensitized possibly by [Edmonton’s Connor] McDavid and [Leon] Drasaitl. We’ve got stars, too, but it’s not going to flashy every shift in his game,” Maurice told reporters on Tuesday, per McPherson.
“Both teams have really good players. Both teams’ power plays have been quiet and that’s why both teams’ star players’ numbers are what they are. He’s very close to leading our team in scoring and we just need solid [performances] out of each guy.”
At this point, it's not about any individual players from Florida's perspective. This franchise is oh-so-close to finally reaching the peak of professional hockey, and it'll take everyone for the Panthers to hoist their first Cup.
“It’s another opportunity, right?” said Aaron Ekblad, who was drafted No. 1 overall by the Panthers in 2014 and has been a key part of the organization ever since. “Another brilliant chance. An opportunity to realize our dream. We’re excited and anxious to get it going.”
Once again, puck drops on what could be the final game of the 2023-24 NHL campaign between the Oilers and Panthers on Tuesday night.
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