Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Matthew Tkachuk Makes Unexpected 'Underdog' Claim Before Stanley Cup Final

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 7:43 AM ET

The Florida Panthers are back in the Stanley Cup Final for the third consecutive year, with a chance to defend the franchise’s first championship.

Despite their recent success, alternate team captain Matthew Tkachuk said on Tuesday that the team still sees itself carrying an "underdog role" heading into a finals rematch against the Edmonton Oilers.

"Absolutely. We’ll continue riding that underdog role. We have so far," Tkachuk said Tuesday, per ESPN's Greg Wyshynski.

Florida defeated Edmonton in seven games last June to capture the 2024 title, but the Oilers are the consensus betting favorites this time.

ESPN Bet has the reigning champs as +110 underdogs against the contending Oilers (-130).

Matthew Tkachuk at Stanley Cup Final Media Day! @TKACHUKycheese_
: @FlaPanthers pic.twitter.com/gAlQP4Z6QN
— CatsNBoltsPodcast (@CatsNBoltsPod) June 4, 2025

Edmonton finished the regular season with 101 points, three more than Florida, and will have home-ice advantage when the series begins Wednesday night.

"They’ve earned the right to have home ice. They had a better regular season than us, so we’re here starting in Edmonton," Tkachuk 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."

Florida dispatched the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Carolina Hurricanes to reach the finals.

Edmonton, meanwhile, beat the Los Angeles Kings, the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Dallas Stars while going 12-2 since losing the first two games of the playoffs.

When asked how the Panthers stay motivated after making the Final in 2023 and winning it all in 2024, Tkachuk laughed at the question.

"I mean, it’s the Stanley Cup. It’s the most motivating thing in sports," Tkachuk said. "We’re not content with just going to the finals.

"We want to be a championship-caliber team, year in and year out."

Game 1 is scheduled for Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET in Edmonton.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: