When the Florida Panthers lifted the Stanley Cup for the second consecutive time in 2025, Matthew Tkachuk proudly declared that another win would catapult the Panthers to dynasty status. As impossible as a Panthers Stanley Cup threepeat appears right now, the thrilling memory of the battles between the Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers is still vivid.
Even a pesky opponent like Tkachuk still admires the Oilers.
Matthew Tkachuk Gives Edmonton Oilers Their Flowers
The Panthers’ enviable team chemistry and understanding played a critical role as the team sailed to success against the Oilers in 2024 and 2025. Despite McDavid and company’s efforts, the Panthers emerged victorious on both occasions with remarkable ease.
However, Tkachuk has stated that he holds Edmonton in very high regard, publicly expressing his respect for the team.
“Very big respect for each other going to the Cup Finals last two years,” the Panthers winger said.
While it is commonly understood that the Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning are two teams locked in an intense rivalry, Tkachuk believes the Oilers are the Panthers’ foremost enemy in the league. The two teams have locked horns in many high-stakes playoff games, only adding to the flavor of the rivalry.
“It doesn’t matter who you play in a playoff series, there’s gonna be dislike. Then, when you play a team two years in a row, no matter what round, the dislike just seems to ramp up, so they’ve probably become our number one rival just because of the magnitude of the games and where we’ve played them and the intensity the last two playoffs,” the 28-year-old winger explained.
The Panthers continued their winning ways against Edmonton in their recent showdown at Rogers Place on Thursday. Florida clinched a shutout 4-0 victory over the Oilers. The Panthers’ dominant showing was reminiscent of the aggressive Stanley Cup final games that the teams played less than a year ago.
However, despite the Oilers slipping up against the defending Cup champions on home ice, McDavid and company are better positioned to make the playoffs. The Oilers are second in the Pacific Division with 77 points, while the Panthers’ postseason hopes are just about smoke.
Tkachuk went so far as to suggest that the Oilers might even repeat their Stanley Cup Final appearance this year. “Great team over there. Some incredible, incredible players, and you know I’m sure they’re gonna be right back this year.”
The Oilers have ample playoff experience to draw on. Despite highs and lows, the team has consistently dominated the upper rungs of the standings this season. Whether Edmonton is successful in turning two Stanley Cup heartbreaks into a championship remains to be seen, especially with Leon Draisaitl’s availability up in the air.
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