The Chicago Blackhawks will take Connor Bedard with the No. 1 pick at the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville on June 28. That is a stone-cold fact you can take to…
Matthew Tkachuk Says Panthers Have 'Probably' the Hardest Road to Stanley Cup Ever
Jun 3, 2023
SUNRISE, FL - MAY 22: Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) adjusts direction to the movement of the puck in the third period during game three of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers on Monday, May 22, 2023 at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
It's not lost on Matthew Tkachuk that his run with the Florida Panthers to the Stanley Cup Final is one of the more improbable ones in NHL history given the road that they've taken to get there.
In fact, he wears it proudly. And now, he's looking to finish off this all-time postseason in style with a win over the Vegas Golden Knights and hoist up his first Stanley Cup.
"We didn't do it the easy way, that's for sure," Tkachuk said at Stanley Cup Final media day in Las Vegas. "For us to knock off this juggernaut in Vegas, it would probably be the hardest road to the Stanley Cup in history. So that's our goal is to knock off this team and see if we can make history."
Much like the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, the Panthers barely made it into the postseason. The drama went down to the final day of the regular season and they managed to scrape in by one point.
But their hopes didn't look bright at the time anyway as they were set to face the Boston Bruins, who had the best regular season in NHL history with 135 points. But even after going down 3-1 in the series, Florida still found a way to win it in seven games in the most dramatic of circumstances.
It then went on to take down the Toronto Maple Leafs in five games and swept the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals to advance to the franchise's first Stanley Cup Final since 1996.
The Panthers have taken down three 100-point teams. If they eliminate Vegas, they would be the third team in NHL history to eliminate four.
And Tkachuk has been the main catalyst in all of it. He has scored 21 goals in 16 postseason games, including three overtime game-winning goals.
"There's no luck in his game," Panthers coach Paul Maurice said of his star. "He doesn't come to the rink hoping, 'Oh, that unbelievable play I made last night, I hope it doesn't disappear on me.' He's done this all year. ... This isn't something new to Florida. He's been that player."
In his first season with the Panthers, Tkachuk has been heaven-sent for the organization. And now he'll be hoping to deliver a title to South Florida and lift the franchise to unprecedented heights.
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final is set for Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.
So many NHL teams have used a chip-on-the-shoulder mentality as fuel in the playoffs, even when it doesn't really make sense. Something about a "haters are…
Matthew Tkachuk Lionized by Fans for Late Winner as Panthers Eliminate Hurricanes
May 25, 2023
SUNRISE, FLORIDA - MAY 24: Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers scores a first period goal against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at FLA Live Arena on May 24, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The old saying goes that it's not how you start, but how you finish that matters.
But just to be safe the Florida Panthers got off to an incredible start in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, scoring 41 seconds in, and poked home a power-play game-winner with just four seconds remaining to earn a 4-3 win and sweep the Carolina Panthers.
Matthew Tkachuk was the hero, notching his second goal of the game to send the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1996.
•16 games •9 goals •12 assists, 9 primary •3 overtime winners + tonight’s buzzer beater •37 high danger chances of his own via NST •38 scoring chances set up for teammates via me •Panthers up 14-5 with him on ice at 5v5
Matthew Tkachuk scored the OT winner to clinch the Memorial Cup in junior, always been clutch. Once the penalty was called you knew he was about to end the game.
It was a game, and frankly a series, that deserved a dramatic winner.
The Panthers looked like they might roll to an easy series-clincher early on, scoring twice in the first period on goals from Anthony Duclair and Tkachuk.
Ryan Lomberg gave the Panthers the lead back midway through the second before Jesper Fast scored with under four minutes remaining to set up the dramatic finish.
The first game of the series went to a fourth overtime. The second game went into overtime as well, while goalie Sergei Bobrovsky stonewalled the Canes in Game 3, stopping all 32 shots he faced in a 1-0 Panthers win.
And then Tkachuk provided the final twist of the knife in the dying moments of regulation in Game 4, ending the cruelest sweep you may ever see.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst caught some flak this week for praising the Los Angeles Lakers after they were swept by the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals, saying he wasn't sure if he ever saw a more impressive performance by a losing team in a sweep.
But if he was a hockey reporter and said that about the Hurricanes, it would be hard to argue otherwise. These four games couldn't have been any closer.
But Tkachuk was wearing a Panthers sweater, and that was the difference.
Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky Hailed by Twitter for Shutout in Game 3 Win vs. Hurricanes
May 23, 2023
SUNRISE, FLORIDA - MAY 22: Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Florida Panthers warms up in the net prior to the start of the game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the FLA Live Arena on May 22, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
It's a never-ending party in South Florida right now.
Just 24 hours after the Miami Heat took a 3-0 lead in their Eastern Conference Finals matchup against the Boston Celtics, the Florida Panthers continued to match them.
The Panthers are now just one win away from their second-ever Stanley Cup Final appearance after taking a 3-0 series lead of their own over the Carolina Hurricane on Monday night at FLA Live Arena.
It was a defensive masterclass on the part of Florida as it shut the Hurricane out 1-0 to end the game in regulation for the first time this series.
In three games, it has allowed Carolina to score just three goals and that's all thanks to the continued sensational play of Sergei Bobrovsky, who seems simply unstoppable at the moment.
The 34-year-old goalie saved all 32 shots sent his way Monday, including a couple highlight reel stops to preserve the shutout. He has saved 67 consecutive shots now and has stopped 132 of the 135 shots he's seen over the entire series.
The Panthers have arguably looked like the best team in hockey since coach Paul Maurice decided to put Bobrovsky back in goal midway through the team's first-round series against the Boston Bruins.
And all it took was a second period goal by center Sam Reinhart off a power play to secure the win.
NHL Twitter heaped all the praise on Bobrovsky for yet another masterpiece.
SERGEI BOBROVSKY.
THAT’S IT. THAT IS THE FREAKING TWEET.
— x - Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) May 23, 2023
No stick? No problem. Sergei Bobrovsky is on it. 🚫 #StanleyCup
Panthers Sergei Bobrovsky sets record for the most saves within the first 3 games of a Conference Final or Stanley Cup Semi-Final series (126 & counting)
Previous record-holder was Johnny Bower (125 saves) for Maple Leafs vs Canadiens in the 1960 Stanley Cup Semi-Final.
Only one of last 100 shots against him have gotten past Bobrovsky, who continues fabulous playoff run. Panthers up 1-0 after two periods, looking to take 3-0 series lead.
The only blemish on the Panthers' performance was that captain Sasha Barkov left the game with a lower body injury in the first period and didn't return. He was questionable to come back for the rest of the night.
Barkov has been a huge piece of Florida's run thus far and would be a huge loss if he's out for an extended period of time.
After crashing into the playoffs as an eight seed, the Panthers now have a chance to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Final on their home ice in Game 4.
Game 4 is set for Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Panthers Fans Want Matthew Tkachuk Statue After Consecutive OT Goals vs. Hurricanes
May 21, 2023
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 20: Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal during overtime against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 20, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)
Matthew Tkachuk is the king of clutch.
The Panthers superstar scored in overtime for the second straight game to help Florida defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday night at PNC Arena in Raleigh.
Florida took a 1-0 series lead on Thursday when Tkachuk scored in the fourth overtime period to help the Panthers win 3-2.
The "Comeback Cats" now hold a 2-0 series lead over the Hurricanes with play set to shift to Florida for Games 3 and 4 at FLA Live Arena.
The Panthers and Hurricanes were deadlocked after three periods following goals by Florida's Aleksander Barkov and Carolina's Jalen Chatfield, and many fans were dreading the possibility of another four-overtime game.
However, Tkachuk had other plans, ending the game just 1:51 into overtime to send the Panthers home with the opportunity to sweep the series.
Tkachuk, who spent the first six seasons of his career with the Calgary Flames, put together the best campaign of his career in his first year with the Panthers, notching 40 goals and 69 assists for 109 points in 79 regular-season games.
The 25-year-old has been even better in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, tallying seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points in 14 games. His 18 points are a franchise record for most points in a single playoff year.
After the team's latest win, fans are ready to crown Tkachuk the king of South Florida:
BUILD TKACHUK A STATUE MAN
— Mau the Lover 🇲🇽🇵🇷🇵🇸 (@MauricioGPonce) May 21, 2023
Matthew Tkachuk to Sportsnet, about Jimmy Butler wearing his jersey and this magical time in South Florida: "It's just so much fun to do what we do and I can't speak for Jimmy but I'm sure he's having the time of his life, just like we are."
— 🏆- Jacob @ PantherPourri, a @FlaHockeyNow Podcast (@PTPJacob) May 21, 2023
With the way Tkachuk and the Panthers are playing, it's very possible they reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since the 1995-96 season. That said, there's still a lot of series left, and they need two more wins to clinch a berth in the finals.
Game 3 between the Panthers and Hurricanes is set for Monday at 8 p.m. ET in Florida.
Report: Jason Spezza Resigns from Maples Leafs Front Office After GM Kyle Dubas' Exit
May 19, 2023
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: (L-R) Jason Spezza and General Manager Kyle Dubas (R) of the Toronto Maple Leafs arrives for the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on April 13, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Jason Spezza has resigned from the Toronto Maple Leafs front office after the franchise announced Friday that general manager Kyle Dubas would not return in 2023-24, per The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.
Spezza had served as a special assistant to Dubas during the 2022-23 campaign, his first job since retiring from the NHL following a 19-year career.
Spezza, a Toronto native, spent the final three years of his career with the Maple Leafs, notching 31 goals and 49 assists for 80 points in 183 games.
The 39-year-old was selected second overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2001 draft and spent 11 seasons with the franchise before joining the Dallas Stars for five seasons from 2014 to '19.
In 1,248 career games, Spezza tallied 363 goals and 632 assists for 995 points. He ended his career having never won a Stanley Cup.
According to Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff, "many believed" Spezza would remain with the Maple Leafs "in a big way" despite the franchise's decision to part ways with Dubas. He added that Spezza "was a popular figure with the players, having played with much of the core, and seemed in tune with everything going on in the NHL."
Toronto's decision to part ways with Dubas following the team's second-round playoff loss to the Florida Panthers came as somewhat of a surprise, especially after Nick Kypreos of the Toronto Star reported Thursday that he was "sitting" on a contract extension offer worth around $4 million annually.
Dubas began his career with the Maple Leafs in 2014 when he was hired as assistant general manager. He was promoted to general manager in 2018 after Lou Lamoriello was fired.
The Maple Leafs made the Stanley Cup playoffs every year since Dubas took over as general manager. However, Toronto found minimal postseason success, suffering four first-round playoff exits before its second-round exit this year.
What's next for Dubas remains unclear. He told reporters earlier this week that if he wasn't general manager of the Maple Leafs next season, he would take a year off.
"It'll either be here or it'll be taking time to recalibrate (and) reflect on the seasons here," Dubas said. "But you won't see me next week pop up elsewhere."
As for Spezza, his NHL future also remains up in the air.
Kyle Dubas Won't Return as Maple Leafs GM After 2023 NHL Playoff Loss to Panthers
May 19, 2023
TORONTO, ON- MAY 15 - Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Kyle Dubas shows emotion as he answers questions as the Toronto Maple Leafs clean out their lockers and hold season ending interviews after being eliminated by the Florida Panthers in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs at Ford Performance Centre in Toronto. May 15, 2023. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
One week after being eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs in the second round, the Toronto Maple Leafs are making a change at general manager.
Toronto announced Friday that Kyle Dubas will not return following the team's postseason loss to the Florida Panthers:
Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada previously reported that Dubas wasn't expected to return.
Nick Kypreos of the Toronto Star reported Thursday that Dubas was "sitting" on an extension offer from the Maple Leafs worth around $4 million per season and included access to a company jet.
Speaking to reporters at an end-of-season press conference Tuesday, Dubas explained his thought process about potentially continuing on in his role with Toronto.
"It requires me to have a full family discussion," he said. "My family is a hugely important part of what I do. For me to commit to anything without having a fuller understanding of what this year took (out of) them … it's probably unfair for me to answer where I'm at. We haven't been able to have those full discussions yet, but it was a very hard year on them."
Dubas also said if he didn't return to the Maple Leafs, it wouldn't be for a job with another club right away: "It'll either be here or it'll be taking time to recalibrate (and) reflect on the seasons here. But you won't see me next week pop up elsewhere."
After starting his career as a player agent, Dubas moved into the front office when he was hired as general manager of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey League in 2011.
The Maple Leafs brought in Dubas as their assistant general manager in July 2014. He was promoted to the general manager's chair in May 2018 following Lou Lamoriello's firing.
Toronto made the playoffs every year under Dubas. The franchise has had its two best seasons by regular-season points in each of the past two years, including a club-record 115 points in 2021-22.
Despite their success in the regular season, the Maple Leafs have struggled in the postseason. This year marked the first time they advanced to the second round since 2012-13.
Matthew Tkachuk Celebrated by Fans for Epic 4OT Goal in Panthers' Win vs. Hurricanes
May 19, 2023
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 19: Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers celebrates with his teammates after scoring the game winning goal on Frederik Andersen #31 of the Carolina Hurricanes in fourth overtime in Game One of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 19, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Matthew Tkachuk played the role of postseason hero once again for the Florida Panthers in their 3-2 marathon win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final.
With just 12.7 seconds remaining in the fourth overtime, Tkachuk broke a stalemate between the two teams when his shot got past Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen for the win.
MATTHEW TKACHUK’S GAME WINNER HELPS THE PANTHERS WIN THE SIXTH LONGEST GAME IN NHL PLAYOFF HISTORY 🚨 pic.twitter.com/H0Kwdm8HOd
The last playoff game that went this long was a 3-2 five-overtime win by the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round of the 2020 postseason.
After ending the game at 1:54 a.m. ET, Tkachuk's heroics were celebrated by fans and analysts.
Calgary organization and fans should be mad they couldn’t keep this guy my goodness!
— Dubas Decepticon (@Dutch_SharksFan) May 19, 2023
There was a brief moment when it looked like the Panthers were going to win much earlier. Ryan Lomberg scored a goal less than three minutes into the first overtime period, but officials disallowed it when Colin White was called for goaltender interference on Andersen.
This was Tkachuk's second overtime goal of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs. He also had the game-winner in Game 5 against the Boston Bruins on April 26 to keep the Panthers' season alive.
The Panthers had the fewest points of any team in this year's playoff field (92). They were on the brink of elimination in the first round after falling behind 3-1 to a Boston Bruins team that had a historic regular season.
Since Game 5 of that series, the Panthers have won eight of their last nine games. This was the first Game 1 loss this postseason for the Hurricanes.
Florida and Carolina will play Game 2 on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.
Auston Matthews Talks Maple Leafs Contract Extension, 'Intention' Is to Return to TOR
May 15, 2023
TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 12: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs fires a shot in overtime against the Florida Panthers during Game Five of the Second Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 12, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Panthers defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews has just one year left on his contract before he can hit free agency, but he sounded hopeful that he and the team could work out a long-term contract extension.
"My intention is to be here," he told reporters Monday. "I think I've reciprocated that before, how much I enjoy playing here and what it means to me—the organization, my teammates and how much I just enjoy being here."
"I think it's important. It will all works itself out in due time."
"I really do enjoy playing here. it's a true honour."
Auston Matthews on signing with the Leafs long-term and his feelings about playing with the organization. pic.twitter.com/EMs7nShORw
Matthews, 25, will play the 2023-24 season on a $750,000 base salary with a $7.2 million signing bonus before hitting unrestricted free agency next offseason. If he is allowed to test the open market, a bidding war would undoubtedly emerge for his services.
He remains one of the most prolific goal-scorers and offensive threats in the NHL, posting 40 goals and 45 assists this past season in 74 games. It was his fifth season with at least 40 goals and his second straight season with 45 or more assists, though it didn't match his career year from the 2021-22 season (60 goals, 46 assists).
That earned him his second All-Star Game nod and helped him clean up in the awards department, winning the Hart Memorial Trophy, Ted Lindsay award and Maurice Richard Trophy.
He was not an All-Star this past season, however, though he did help lead the Maple Leafs to their seventh straight playoff appearance and ended a 19-year drought without a playoff series win.
The Maple Leafs knocked out the three-time defending Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round before losing in five games to the Florida Panthers.
"I mean if I had all the answers, I wouldn't be standing here right now."
He paired with Mitch Marner (99 points), William Nylander (87 points) and John Tavares (80 points) to give Toronto one of the most dangerous offenses in hockey (3.41 goals per game, eighth in the NHL).
So Matthews remains a huge part of the Maple Leafs, and keeping him in Toronto is paramount in the quest to end a Stanley Cup title drought dating back to the 1966-67 season.
"It's huge," Mitch Marner told reporters regarding his teammate's desire to sign an extension to remain in Toronto. "He means a lot to this team. Hopefully that works out and that can happen."
