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Panthers’ Matthew Tkachuk Makes Blunt Admission After Oilers’ Game 1 Win

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 6, 2025 9:20 AM ET

The Florida Panthers let a 3-1 lead slip away in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final and lost 4-3 in overtime to the Edmonton Oilers, who now lead the series 1-0 heading into Game 2 on Friday.

Leon Draisaitl’s second goal of the night handed Edmonton the win and the series lead, something they didn't have at any point during last year's finals against Florida.

Inside the Panthers’ locker room, however, it's fair to assume there was no panic. Many of the players have already dealt with the pressure of a Stanley Cup Final. For a core group that includes alternate captain Matthew Tkachuk, it's their third consecutive appearance in the championship round.

Matthew Tkachuk: “They’re better, we’re better, it’s going to be a great series.” pic.twitter.com/bpdXkgWgJK
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 5, 2025

Tkachuk was asked about Game 1 and addressed the loss bluntly while making a prediction about the remainder of the series.

"They’re better, we’re better, it’s going to be a great series," Tkachuk said.

Tkachuk was part of last year’s seven-game win over Edmonton and made clear that Florida’s ready to bounce back.

“We’re a very strong group mentally, so I’d say it’s more technical than mental,” Tkachuk said. “We’ve got a lot of battle scars on us from the last few years. We’ve been through way worse than that yesterday.

”We can be better. We can adjust a few things, come out tomorrow and try to get a win here.”

Meanwhile, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice echoed his forward’s perspective, pointing to the Panthers’ ability to stay composed through adversity.

“It’s just experience,” head coach Paul Maurice said of his team’s mental fortitude. “You go through enough tough days after losses. Every [loss] in the playoffs feels like a weight. You just go through the next day and know how to handle it.”

Game 2 will be played at 8 p.m. ET Friday at Rogers Place in Edmonton. It will air on TNT.

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

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