Matthew Tkachuk Sends Clear Message About Oilers-Panthers Stanley Cup Final

The Stanley Cup Final is back, and so are the title contenders. For the first time since 2009, the NHL will see a championship rematch, as the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers prepare to square off for a second straight year.

In the eyes of Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk, the repetition isn’t a coincidence, but rather a statement of dominance.

Florida eliminated the Carolina Hurricanes in five games to punch its third straight ticket to the Final. Edmonton, meanwhile, responded by dispatching the Dallas Stars in five games of their own.

Each franchise has applied a few touches to their roster since last June, but for Tkachuk, what hasn’t changed is the gap they’ve created from the rest of the league.

"I think that it’s the two best teams in the league, and, to be honest, I think it’s pretty clear that we’re the two best," Tkachuk said. "It’s going to make for an incredible final."

The Panthers won last year’s series in seven games. Florida is returning to the finals with added experience and new pieces like forward Brad Marchand and defenseman Seth Jones.

The Oilers, meanwhile, have built a more balanced attack around superstar forward Connor McDavid and a stifling defense corps that just welcomed back Mattias Ekholm during the finals.