{"id":276823,"date":"2025-05-20T03:09:41","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T03:09:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/20\/3-struggling-florida-panthers-players-who-need-to-step-up-against-hurricanes-in-ecfs-feat-matthew-tkachuk\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T17:08:23","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T17:08:23","slug":"3-struggling-florida-panthers-players-who-need-to-step-up-against-hurricanes-in-ecfs-feat-matthew-tkachuk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/20\/3-struggling-florida-panthers-players-who-need-to-step-up-against-hurricanes-in-ecfs-feat-matthew-tkachuk\/","title":{"rendered":"3 struggling Florida Panthers players who need to step up against Hurricanes in ECFs feat. Matthew Tkachuk"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> [ad_1]<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-content\" data-postid=\"4923731\" data-slug-id=\"2525002\">\n<div class=\"vidazoo-player-container\">\n<span class=\"vidazoo-close-btn  hidden \"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/cmc-predictor\/v2\/cross-icon.png?w=40\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" alt=\"close\"\/><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/us\/nhl\/florida-panthers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">Florida Panthers<\/a> are set to take on the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final starting on Tuesday night at PNC Arena.<\/p>\n<p>The Panthers took the long road to get past the Toronto Maple Leafs in Round 2 but managed to make it to the Conference Final with a convincing 6-1 victory in Game 7 last Sunday night.<\/p>\n<p><template id=\"also-read-articles-template\"><\/p>\n<p><\/template><\/p>\n<p>However, three Florida Panthers players have been largely non-factors thus far in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, meaning that they will need to step up against the Hurricanes if the Cats are to return to the Stanley Cup Final.<\/p>\n<p>So, here\u2019s a look at three struggling Florida Panthers players who must step up against the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final.<\/p>\n<h2>3 struggling Florida Panthers players who need to step up in Eastern Conference Final<\/h2>\n<h3>#3 Evan Rodrigues<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sk-app-thumbnail\" alt=\"Evan Rodrigues will be looking to step it up against the Hurricanes - Source: Imagn\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154524-1747709357.jpeg\"\/><img fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"lazy-img\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" data-img=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154524-1747709357.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154524-1747709357.jpeg?w=190 190w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154524-1747709357.jpeg?w=720 720w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154524-1747709357.jpeg?w=640 640w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154524-1747709357.jpeg?w=1045 1045w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154524-1747709357.jpeg?w=1200 1200w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154524-1747709357.jpeg?w=1460 1460w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154524-1747709357.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154524-1747709357.jpeg 1920w\" alt=\"Evan Rodrigues will be looking to step it up against the Hurricanes - Source: Imagn\" data-img-low=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26154524-1747709357.jpeg?w=640\" bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,&lt;svg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201920%201280%22&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\"\/><figcaption>Evan Rodrigues will be looking to step it up against the Hurricanes &#8211; Source: Imagn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/us\/nhl\/evan-rodrigues-family\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">Evan Rodrigues<\/a> is the Swiss Army knife of the Florida Panthers squad. He\u2019s the sort of player that can play a key role anywhere in the lineup.<\/p>\n<p>However, Rodrigues has been largely inconsequential this postseason. He\u2019s registered four assists in 12 games to go with a minus-1 rating. While he\u2019s averaging 14:22 per game, it\u2019s not the ice time indicative of a top-six forward.<\/p>\n<p>If this trend continues, Rodrigues could be permanently entrenched in a bottom-six role with his ice time further dwindling. That is why he must step up and provide secondary scoring as the series against the Hurricanes figures to be a tight-checking affair.<\/p>\n<h3>#2 Gustav Forsling<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sk-app-thumbnail\" alt=\"The Cats need Forsling to regain his form from last spring - Source: Imagn\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26005861-1747709403.jpeg\"\/><img class=\"lazy-img\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" data-img=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26005861-1747709403.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26005861-1747709403.jpeg?w=190 190w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26005861-1747709403.jpeg?w=720 720w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26005861-1747709403.jpeg?w=640 640w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26005861-1747709403.jpeg?w=1045 1045w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26005861-1747709403.jpeg?w=1200 1200w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26005861-1747709403.jpeg?w=1460 1460w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26005861-1747709403.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26005861-1747709403.jpeg 1920w\" alt=\"The Cats need Forsling to regain his form from last spring - Source: Imagn\" data-img-low=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26005861-1747709403.jpeg?w=640\" bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,&lt;svg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201920%201280%22&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\"\/><figcaption>The Cats need Forsling to regain his form from last spring &#8211; Source: Imagn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/us\/nhl\/gustav-forsling-contract\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">Gustav Forsling<\/a> was a revelation for the Florida Panthers last spring. He rose to become a top-pairing defenseman as he made considerable strides.<\/p>\n<p>This postseason, however, Forsling hasn\u2019t been quite the top-pairing defenseman the team would like him to be. He\u2019s been stuck in the bottom four while producing little offensively.<\/p>\n<p>Forsling\u2019s two assists in 12 games don\u2019t look encouraging, particularly when factoring in situations in which he\u2019s been burned defensively.<\/p>\n<p>If Forsling can step up in the Eastern Conference Final, the Panthers will look like a lock to return to the Stanley Cup Final.<\/p>\n<h3>#1 Matthew Tkachuk<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sk-app-thumbnail\" alt=\"Matthew Tkachuk must be a difference-maker for the Panthers - Source: Imagn\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26179870-1747709442.jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy-img\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" data-img=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26179870-1747709442.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26179870-1747709442.jpeg?w=190 190w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26179870-1747709442.jpeg?w=720 720w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26179870-1747709442.jpeg?w=640 640w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26179870-1747709442.jpeg?w=1045 1045w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26179870-1747709442.jpeg?w=1200 1200w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26179870-1747709442.jpeg?w=1460 1460w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26179870-1747709442.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26179870-1747709442.jpeg 1920w\" alt=\"Matthew Tkachuk must be a difference-maker for the Panthers - Source: Imagn\" data-img-low=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/26179870-1747709442.jpeg?w=640\" bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,&lt;svg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201920%201280%22&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\"\/><figcaption>Matthew Tkachuk must be a difference-maker for the Panthers &#8211; Source: Imagn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>On paper, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/us\/nhl\/matthew-tkachuk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">Matthew Tkachuk<\/a> has had a decent postseason. He\u2019s notched nine points in 12 games. But upon closer inspection, Tkachuk hasn\u2019t been all that impressive since Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.<\/p>\n<p>In his opening playoff game, Tkachuk registered three points. Since then, he\u2019s scattered his points throughout the remainder of games.<\/p>\n<p>Tkachuk registered an assist in each of the three straight wins the Panthers got over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Round 2, but failed to register anything in the last two tilts.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, Tkachuk\u2019s ice time has fluctuated significantly, swinging from over 20 minutes a night to a low of 15. That situation seems to indicate a perceived lack of consistency on Tkachuk\u2019s part.<\/p>\n<p>The Panthers will be hoping that Tkachuk can pull his game together in time for the Eastern Conference Final and get past the Carolina Hurricanes.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-post-rating-widget\">\n<p><template id=\"post-rating-feedback-modal-template\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-feedback-box\">\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-content\">\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-data\">\n<p>Why did you not like this content?<\/p>\n<p><textarea id=\"dislike-feedback-text\" rows=\"4\" placeholder=\"Please type your feedback...\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<button class=\"close\">Cancel<\/button><br \/>\n<button class=\"submit\">Submit<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/template><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-widget-parent hidden\">\n<div class=\"rating-parent-container\">\n<div class=\"rating-content-holder\">\n<p>Was this article helpful?<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-action-container\">\n<div class=\"like-container\">\n<button class=\"post-rating-like-button post-rating-button\" data-action=\"like\"><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"post-like-image post-rating-image\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/like-articles\/upvote-icon-grey.svg\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" alt=\"like selected\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dislike-container\">\n<button class=\"post-rating-dislike-button post-rating-button\" data-action=\"dislike\"><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"post-dis-like-image post-rating-image\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/like-articles\/upvote-icon-grey.svg\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" alt=\"avatar selected\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\nThank You for feedback\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-author-info-parent\">\n<span class=\"about-the-author\">About the author<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"author-info-holder\">\n<div class=\"author-pic-holder\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"author-pic\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,&lt;svg width=\" height=\"100\"\/><rect width=\"100\" height=\"100\" style=\"fill:rgb(128, 128, 128);\"\/>&#8221; data-lazy=&#8221;https:\/\/keedag.sportskeeda.com\/user-pic\/2981390-1716632323-200.jpg?w=200&#8243;<br \/>\nalt=&#8221;Nestor Quixtan&#8221; height=&#8221;72&#8243; width=&#8221;72&#8243;&gt;\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-bio-detail-holder\">\n<div class=\"author-bio\">\n<p class=\"author-bio\" id=\"author-bio-text\">\nNestor is an NHL and MLB writer at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience. Growing up in Toronto, he became an avid Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan, but also admires the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Dodgers for their dominance in the 80s. Holding an Economics and Education major, Nestor\u2019s passion for writing and sporting events led him to take up reporting about the sport professionally.<\/p>\n<p>Nestor credits the Leafs\u2019 playoff runs in the early &#8217;90s as having a lasting impact on him. His favorite players are Doug Gilmour and Mike Bossy, as he feels they were tough, talented leaders, while Pat Burns is his favorite coach of all time for always preaching a fast-paced game.<\/p>\n<p>Growing up in Canada, it was natural for Nestor to become interested in ice hockey and he played Minor Hockey as a teenager, which has given him a unique perspective on the sport. Nestor has mastered the art of how to best present facts and he also has a knack for knowing which sources can be trusted, and which can&#8217;t for stories.<\/p>\n<p>When he is not writing about Canada\u2019s national passion, Nestor enjoys running and hiking.\n<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"author-know-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/author\/nestor-quixta\" aria-label=\"Author know more\">Know More<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tag-cloud\">\n<div class=\"tags-text\">\n<div class=\"scrollable-content-holder  article-padding\">\n<p class=\"article-p  \">Quick Links<\/p>\n<p><button id=\"pnAdvancerLeft\" class=\"pn-Advancer pn-Advancer_Left \" type=\"button\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"background: none;\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/skm\/assets\/article\/article-scroll-left.svg\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button><\/p>\n<nav id=\"pnProductNav\" class=\"pn-ProductNav\">\n<\/nav>\n<p><button id=\"pnAdvancerRight\" class=\"pn-Advancer pn-Advancer_Right \" type=\"button\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"background: none;\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/skm\/assets\/article\/article-scroll-right.svg\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<p>More from Sportskeeda<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<span class=\"publisher-name\">Edited by Nestor Quixtan<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[ad_2]<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/us\/nhl\/3-struggling-florida-panthers-players-need-step-hurricanes-ecfs-feat-matthew-tkachuk\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[ad_1] The Florida Panthers are set to take on the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final starting on Tuesday night at PNC Arena. 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