Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk has been a force this postseason for his Panthers. Tkachuk has posted 22 points this postseason. While he has loved playing in another Stanley Cup Final, Tkachuk is getting honest about the grind of a long season. The winger says the long campaign is probably worse than anybody could imagine, per The Athletic.

The reason why Tkachuk feels this way is because he played the season, as well as the 4 Nations Face-Off. There was very little time off in between. It also doesn't help that the Stanley Cup Final is being played between Edmonton and Sunrise Florida, which are thousands of miles apart.

Florida is now on the doorstep of winning another Stanley Cup. The Panthers lead the Oilers 3-2 in the series, with Game 6 in Florida on Tuesday night. The season could go even longer of course, if Florida can't close the series on Tuesday.

Matthew Tkachuk is having a solid Stanley Cup Final

Tkachuk might be tired, but he isn't showing it on the ice. The winger has posted points in the last three games for the Panthers. He had three points in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, including two goals.

The Panthers star knows that it won't be easy to win Game 6 of the series, even though it is at home.

Article Continues Below
More Florida Panthers News
Florida Panthers right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) skates with the puck as Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik (44) chases in the second period at Verizon Center. Jagr shares his insights on the Stanley Cup Final between Panthers and Oilers.
Jaromir Jagr reveals what’s impressive about Panthers in Stanley Cup FinalYasmin Edañol ·
Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates scoring wduring the first period with Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones (3) and forward Aleksander Barkov (16) against the Edmonton Oilers in game four of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena.
Panthers’ Matthew Tkachuk drops truth bomb on injury status prior to playoffsTroy Finnegan ·
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jake Walman (96) controls the puck against Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand (63) during the second period in game five of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place.
How Panthers’ Brad Marchand had Oilers star ‘feeling s****y’Christopher Hennessy ·
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) reacts with goaltender Calvin Pickard (30) after defeating the Dallas Stars in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center.
Oilers not committing to starting goalie for Game 6 vs. PanthersTroy Finnegan ·
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) skates during the warmup period against the Edmonton Oilers in game five of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place.
Panthers’ Sam Bennett reveals key to Game 5 masterpiece vs. OilersChristopher Hennessy ·
Florida Panthers center Brad Marchand (63) shoots the puck against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period in game five of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place.
Brad Marchand’s hilarious take on Stanley Cup Final success with PanthersBenjamin Adducchio ·

“There's no secret that the Cup's in the building. It's going to be the toughest test, biggest game,” Tkachuk said, per ESPN. “We have to treat this as a Game 7.”

In order to win Game 6 Florida has to stop Oilers star Connor McDavid, Tkachuk said.

“He's desperate to win the Cup. So are we. But he's obviously a talent like nobody else in the league. It's so hard to shut him down. I don't think you can shut him down. You can just try to limit as much as you can,” Tkachuk said of McDavid. “They're obviously one of the best, if not the best, team that I've played in my career and in the playoffs. So I'm sure [Game 6] is going to be a very tough one.”

Tkachuk and Panthers fans certainly hope that Tuesday's contest is the final game they have to play this season.