Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers recently wrapped up their Western Canada road trip, and as always, Tkachuk didn't miss a chance to stir the pot with the Edmonton Oilers.
The Panthers cruised to a 4-0 victory over Edmonton at Rogers Place, giving Tkachuk plenty of reason to be in high spirits as he headed to Calgary to face his former team, the Flames. Although the Panthers stumbled with a 4-1 loss at the Scotiabank Saddledome, Tkachuk maintained his upbeat demeanor, taking another playful jab at Edmonton when discussing Calgary's upcoming arena.
“I’m excited. I love this building.
I love having the memories here, but I think it’s gonna be great for the city now that they can get all the concerts and the stuff that they’ve been missing… Because, to me, this is the best city in the area, by far. And now, with this new rink, it brings just that much more traction, and I think a lot more people outside of Calgary will see what a great city Calgary is,” Tkachuk remarked.
At 28, Tkachuk added an assist in the win over the Oilers but didn't find the scoresheet against the Flames. His season tally stands at 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) over 22 games, showcasing his consistent impact on the ice.
Despite his antics, the Oilers offered little resistance on Thursday night. Fans and analysts alike have been clamoring for a stronger response to Tkachuk’s ongoing taunts, but so far, the Oilers have remained quiet.
Tkachuk's knack for getting under Edmonton's skin seems unlikely to change. However, Oilers fans can take solace in the fact that a playoff encounter with Tkachuk and the Panthers is a distant possibility this season.