Panthers Pest Matthew Tkachuk Fires Yet Another Shot at the Maple Leafs

As the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers battle it out in the Stanley Cup Final, the Panthers currently hold a 3-2 series lead in their third straight Final appearance.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated by the Panthers in Round 2, marking yet another early playoff disappointment. And now, two series later, Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk has taken another jab at Toronto.

Known for his antagonistic style both on and off the ice, Tkachuk downplayed the challenge of the Leafs-Panthers series while praising Tampa Bay, the Panthers' Round 1 opponent.

As per Luke Fox on X:

Tkachuk has made a habit of targeting Toronto with his comments. Earlier in the playoffs, he made comments that the Leafs might be a better team if they played in a different market -- one with less media pressure.

Tkachuk has also implied in past that the current Maple Leafs roster isn't built for playoff success, taking shots at their repeated failures to close out a series.

Whether fans agree or not, Tkachuk's results speak for themselves. He's been a consistent playoff performer and has racked up 7 goals and 15 assists in 22 games this post-season, maintaining an impressive point-per-game pace.

With the Panthers currently just one win away against the Oilers, in their third straight Stanley Cup Final appearance, Tkachuk may feel he's earned the right to speak his mind -- especially when Florida's results continue to back up his words.