Matthew Tkachuk: “I don’t think anyone wants to play in Carolina”

Tomorrow kicks off the Panthers-Hurricanes series.

And let’s just say the table is set, especially with Matthew Tkachuk’s most recent comments.

He said he doesn’t think anyone wants to play in Carolina.

Matthew Tkachuk: “I don’t think anyone enjoys playing Carolina.”

– Ryan Henkel (@RyanHenkel_) May 19, 2025

I tend to think that’s not necessarily untrue. Carolina isn’t the biggest hockey market in the NHL.

But in the playoffs, the Hurricanes’ home is always packed.

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The eldest of the Tkachuk brothers has never been tight-lipped, and I’m not surprised he said that. Now the boots will have to follow the socks, because should Florida lose, I’m sure some Canes players will take the opportunity to respond to his comments.

The last time the two teams met in the playoffs, the Panthers swept Carolina. I don’t see that happening in 2025.

Tomorrow kicks off the Eastern Final series between the 10th and 11th best teams in the series.

Leaguewide seeding of the final five teams:

4. Toronto
5. Dallas
9. Edmonton
10. Carolina
11. Florida

Leafs will have home ice rest of way if they advance.

– James Mirtle (@mirtle) May 18, 2025

By the way, the Stars (5th) and Oilers (9th) didn’t finish among the best teams to have made the playoffs either.

Proof that anything can happen in the playoffs.

Overtime

– It takes a trade like that in Toronto.

Framework of an insane trade (justification provided):

Toronto trades:
– William Nylander

Anaheim trades:
– Jackson LaCombe

– Toronto gets $11m in cap space to figure out a return for Marner. They also get who could be a solution to their puck-moving defenseman issues…. pic.twitter.com/WJmVeM5Tbt

– Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) May 20, 2025

– Interesting.

This evening’s piece touches on changes coming for the #LeafsForever – Shanahan? Marner? Tavares? Jarnkrok? Kampf? … more:
– Isles & Roy
– Foote & Sullivan’s deals
– Larsen staying in CGY
– Pens, Bruins HC search
– LA & Gavrikov
– Ehlers & Jets
+ more https://t.co/eUoAOX2ssi

– David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) May 20, 2025

– Questions arise.

Will Connor McDavid lead the WCF in scoring? Will Stuart Skinner start every game against Dallas?

More from @cherylpounder in Hot or Not presented by @MontanasBBQ: https://t.co/dXsw9noTU6 pic.twitter.com/W5HYgnjAWO

– TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) May 20, 2025

– Nick Jensen went under the knife.

Ottawa Senators blueliner Nick Jensen undergoes surgery for lower-body ailment https://t.co/EWslKfmpGk via @ottawacitizen

– Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) May 19, 2025

– All the better.

Jose Maltos’ work ethic doesn’t go unnoticed at Alouettes camphttps://t.co/tKsDhU2vyM

– RDS (@RDSca) May 19, 2025