The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs have already delivered their fair share of drama, and few matchups have been as fiercely contested as the latest chapter in the Battle of Florida. With tempers flaring, stakes at an all-time high, and every shift magnified under the postseason spotlight, the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning gave fans a series to remember.

Amidst the flurry of highlight-reel goals, controversial moments, and physical battles, one incident involving Matthew Tkachuk and Jake Guentzel stood out—sparking heated debate among analysts and fans alike. Yet, as the dust settled and the Panthers advanced, Tkachuk himself broke his silence in a surprising way, offering a rare glimpse into the on-ice dynamics that often go unseen.

His revelation, coming after a hard-fought series victory, not only sheds light on the contrasting mentalities of both teams but also raises questions about what it truly takes to succeed in the playoffs. As the Panthers continue their quest for the Cup, the aftermath of this moment lingers, offering insight into the edge and intensity that define postseason hockey.

Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Matthew Tkachuk played another great series against Tampa Bay, and that included a late hit on Jake Guentzel, with Tkachuk revealing nothing was said after it despite the criticism from fans and analysts.

The Battle of Florida in 2025 certainly had plenty of massive moments whether that be flurry’s of goals, massive, illegal hits or huge saves, but in the end, it was the Florida Panthers that came away winners 4-1 in the series.

While it wasn’t the most talked about hit in the series, Matthew Tkachuk’s late hit on Jake Guentzel certainly raised plenty of eyebrows, with many expecting retaliation on the star forward for his late hit.

After the series concluded, Tkachuk made a surprise appearance on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, and he was asked by Paul Bissonnette if anything was said to him on the ice after the play.

Surprisingly, he reveals that nothing was said to him in that game or in the series, and given how the Panthers reacted to the hit on Aleksander Barkov by Brandon Hagel, it shows a clear difference in these two teams, and why one came out on top and the other didn’t.

This isn’t the first time that Tkachuk has played on the edge in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and while that usually comes with retaliation, it appears as though Tampa Bay weren’t interested in protecting their teammate.

Ultimately, it’s the Panthers that are moving on to the second round instead of the Lightning, and while the team not standing up for a star forward like Guentzel isn’t the entire reason for that, it shows a clear difference in the two teams as one moves on to success and the other has an early off-season.