Many had counted the Florida Panthers out before the puck dropped for this year’s playoffs. The Boston Bruins were a record-breaking team in the regular season, with more wins and points than any other team in NHL history.
The Bruins had a 3-1 series lead, but that’s when the Comeback Cats rose from the dead and made a comeback for the ages.
The Panthers are led by Matthew Tkachuk, playing his first year in Sunrise, and with eleven points in Round 1, he’s been one of the MVPs this playoffs. After stealing Round One from Boston, the Comeback Cats took Game 1 from Toronto, in Toronto, and on Thursday, they did it again.
The Panthers were down 2-0 just 5:10 into the first period, but just like we’re getting used to by now, the Panthers came back from the game, and thanks to goals from Anton Lundell, Aleksander Barkov, and Gustav Forsling, they won 3-2.
Sergei Bobrovsky also deserves serious praise for his game, as he once again stepped up when his team needed it the most.
And speaking of stepping up to the challenge: Matthew Tkachuk had an assist and once again played an amazing game of hockey as the Panthers took a 2-0 series lead.
Tkachuk was in a great mood when talking to TNT’s Darren Pang afterward. In fact, he was in such a great mood that he decided to absolutely roast Paul Bissonnette and the other panelists working on the channel.
All season, TNT has been talking about the Mr. TNT Award, presented to the player that chirps best and that’s most entertaining in interviews with the network. The award was presented to non-other than Brad Marchand, with Ryan Reaves winning the fan-favorite award.
Matt Tkachuk was also named as one of the possible winners, but he fell just short, and he hasn’t forgotten about that. When his interview with Pang was ending, Pang said:
”Well, you weren’t Mr. TNT but you are for me, pal. Thanks.”
Tkachuk had the most hilarious response.
”I appreciate it. You’re the only one I like,” he said, laughing.
READ MORE: Fans can’t stop laughing at Jamie Benn’s behavior during wrestling match with former teammate
