Stanley Cup Final 2025: Florida Panthers Embrace Underdog Role Against Edmonton Oilers

The stage is set for an exciting Stanley Cup Final rematch between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers. On Wednesday night, the two teams will face off in Edmonton, with the Oilers having home-ice advantage after finishing the regular season with 101 points, three more than the Panthers. The Panthers, led by winger Matthew Tkachuk, are embracing their underdog role, with Tkachuk stating that they will “continue riding that underdog role” after being asked about their chances in the series. The Panthers’ coach, Paul Maurice, also emphasized that the team is not content with just making it to the finals, but rather wants to be a championship-caliber team year in and year out.

Underdog Mentality

The Panthers are no strangers to being seen as underdogs. Despite being the reigning champions, they are not favored to win the series, with the majority of pundits predicting that the Oilers will lift the Stanley Cup for the first time. ESPN BET has the Oilers as a -130 favorite to win the Cup. However, the Panthers are using this as motivation, with Tkachuk stating that “it’s not something that we’re new to” and that they have started on the road in each round of the playoffs. Some key highlights of the Panthers’ underdog mentality include:
* Embracing their underdog role to motivate themselves
* Using their experience of starting on the road in each round of the playoffs to their advantage
* Focusing on being a championship-caliber team year in and year out

Experience and Motivation

The Panthers have a wealth of experience in the Stanley Cup Final, having made it to the finals for the third straight year. They lost to Vegas in 2023 and then won the Cup in 2024. Tkachuk stated that “it’s the Stanley Cup” and that it’s “the most motivating thing in sports.” The Panthers’ coach, Paul Maurice, also emphasized the importance of the Stanley Cup, stating that “you have this incredible experience with your group of guys that you care so much about” and that “you say, ‘God, I want to do it again.'” Some notable quotes from the Panthers’ players and coaches include:
* “It’s the Stanley Cup. It’s the most motivating thing in sports.” – Matthew Tkachuk
* “You have this incredible experience with your group of guys that you care so much about. And then they come back next year, and you say, ‘God, I want to do it again.'” – Paul Maurice

Growth of Hockey in South Florida

The Panthers’ success has also had a significant impact on the growth of hockey in South Florida. Tkachuk stated that “hockey’s kind of turned into the No. 1 sport down there” and that it’s been “fun to be a part of that.” He also shared a story about how he was once asked what he did for work, and when he replied that he played hockey, the person responded by saying “Hockey? In Florida? You must suck.” Tkachuk laughed and said that it’s “definitely changed since then.” Some key statistics highlighting the growth of hockey in South Florida include:
* Increased attendance at Panthers games
* Growth of youth hockey programs in the area
* Increased interest in hockey from local fans and media

Community Engagement

The Panthers’ players and coaches are heavily involved in the community, with Tkachuk stating that it’s been “fun to be a part of” the growth of hockey in South Florida. The team has also been involved in various charitable initiatives, including youth hockey programs and fan engagement events. Some notable community engagement initiatives by the Panthers include:
* Youth hockey programs and clinics
* Fan appreciation events and contests
* Charity games and fundraisers

Conclusion:
The Florida Panthers are embracing their underdog role in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. With their experience and motivation, they are looking to prove the pundits wrong and lift the Stanley Cup for the second straight year. The series promises to be an exciting one, with the Oilers looking to win their first Cup and the Panthers looking to repeat as champions.

Keywords: Stanley Cup Final, Florida Panthers, Edmonton Oilers, Matthew Tkachuk, Connor McDavid, NHL, hockey, underdog, motivation, experience, community engagement.

Hashtags: #StanleyCupFinal #FloridaPanthers #EdmontonOilers #NHL #Hockey #Underdog #Motivation #Experience #CommunityEngagement #StanleyCup



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