Matthew Tkachuk Says It's 'All Business' For Panthers After Making Stanley Cup Final

Matthew Tkachuk's perspective has changed since the Florida Panthers made the first of what's now three straight trips to the Stanley Cup Final.

The Panthers beat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-3 on Wednesday night to advance out of the Eastern Conference finals. For Tkachuk, the celebrations were somewhat muted.

"I remember a few years ago it felt like such an accomplishment," the veteran forward told reporters after the game. "This year, it's all business."

That seems to reflect the wider mindset of his team. The Panthers made a point not to touch the Prince of Wales Trophy on the ice, having done the same thing last year:

It was the complete opposite when Florida punched its ticket to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final.

"The last thing that we're going to do is be is superstitious about not touching it," Tkachuk said at the time. "Like, nobody said we were even going to make the playoffs. I think it's pretty cool to touch it, carry it around and take pictures with it. We earned that thing."

Now, the Panthers have their eyes on something bigger than just reaching the Final.

"It was really different two years ago. It was so new to us," Tkachuk said. "Whoever we play, we'll be very prepared for them. It's not our first rodeo with this."

This year's Stanley Cup Final is shaping up to be a rematch of 2024. The Edmonton Oilers are up 3-1 in the Western Conference finals against the Dallas Stars, and they could close things out as early as Thursday night.

Assuming it is Panthers vs. Oilers again, Florida's players will know their focus will need to be sharp because Edmonton will have revenge firmly on its mind.