Matthew Tkachuk Leads Florida Panthers into Eastern Conference Finals

RALEIGH, N.C. — Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers are looking to continue their playoff success as they open the Eastern Conference Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night. This postseason marks the Panthers’ third consecutive trip to the conference final, following their run to the Stanley Cup in 2024.

The Panthers’ remarkable playoff journey began with Tkachuk’s memorable game-winning goal in the quadruple-overtime against the Carolina Hurricanes on May 19, 2023. Rounding off the gritty game, Tkachuk famously left the ice quickly to rally his teammates back to the locker room.

“I remember being really tired after the first one, and just the way I scored and looked, the first thing I saw was, like, the door,” Tkachuk said. “So, I left.” His quick exit after the dramatic win set a humorous yet competitive tone for his playoff performances.

During the following series against the Hurricanes, Tkachuk continued to shine. His contributions included a game-winning goal less than two minutes into an overtime and other crucial assists, including the primary setup for the game-winning power-play goal in Game 3.

Despite facing the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs in earlier rounds, Tkachuk managed a notable playoff resurgence, tallying three goals and six assists. His impactful presence on the ice has garnered respect from teammates.

“He brings a lot to the table, even when he’s not scoring,” Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad said. “He’s being physical. He’s a bench presence.”

As the Panthers gear up to face the Hurricanes, Tkachuk acknowledges the challenge this competitive team presents. He remarked on the Hurricanes’ depth and experience, making for a tough matchup. “They’ve had a great run. And it’s no surprise that we’re facing them,” he said.

In contrast to last year’s loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final, Tkachuk looks forward to the new opportunities ahead. He and the Panthers are determined to prove themselves worthy contenders once again, with every match promising high-stakes action.

“Just the way I was going, the door was right there,” Tkachuk reminisced on his past experience. “So it was, ‘Let’s just get out of here.’” With this mindset, the Panthers aim to write another memorable chapter in their quest for the Stanley Cup.