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"Combination of Tampa & Boston": Matthew Tkachuk opens up on upcoming challenge of facing Rangers in ECF
The Florida Panthers are headed to the Eastern Conference Final after eliminating the Boston Bruins in 6 games. Up next for the Panthers is a matchup with the New York Rangers, who advanced by beating the Carolina Hurricanes in Round 2.
Speaking after Florida's series-clinching 2-1 win over Boston, star winger Matthew Tkachuk shared some thoughts on the challenge posed by the Rangers.
"Watching their games throughout the playoffs, they have an unbelievable goaltender like us, a very well-rounded defence like us, and some guys up front that can put the puck in the net," Tkachuk said.
"I would say their power play is probably their biggest strength from what I've seen so far in the playoffs."
Matthew Tkachuk drew some comparisons between the Panthers' previous opponents and the Rangers.
"A combination of Tampa and Boston, but maybe with high-end skill in power play, a little bit more like Tampa maybe," Tkachuk said.
For Florida, goals from Gustav Forsling and Anton Lundell plus 22 saves by Sergei Bobrovsky powered them past Boston on Friday night.
Pavel Zacha scored the lone goal for Boston, while Jeremy Swayman made 26 saves in the losing effort.
Fans react to Matthew Tkachuk’s Panthers winning the series against the Bruins and advancing to the Eastern Conference Final
The series clinching goal came with just 1:39 left in regulation as Gustav Forsling sniped one past Jeremy Swayman to put the Panthers up 2-1.
On social media, fans reacted strongly to the outcome. Many Panthers supporters celebrated the huge win over a division rival. One fan tweeted
"Great series, was kinda hoping there would be a game 7. Next series should be even better!."
However, Bruins fans were understandably upset about the loss. One disappointed Boston supporter wrote,
"What a series Panthers, you def outplayed us overall and provided some very entertaining physical hockey. Good luck against the Rangers! -A Buins Fan."
Here are some fan reactions:
"Bring on the Rangers! This is going to be an epic conference final!" one fan wrote on X.
"I don't know if this is a hot take or not, but as a Toronto fan, I consider Boston the faster verison of the Leafs, who still stumbles a lot when it comes to the Playoffs, going out in an embarrassing way, to close way." another fan wrote.
"Congratulations!!!!! I am so excited and so happy! You all deserve this so much!" a user wrote.
"Coming from a Rangers fan, was hoping Boston would win simply cause I didn't wanna play you guys. This has potential to be a series for the ages, best of luck" another user worte.
Game 1 versus the Rangers will take place on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
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