'That's Not Really What They Are Like': Oilers Receive Surprising Praise From Matthew Tkachuk

A player who has battled with the Edmonton Oilers in the playoffs before, is now praising the team.

Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports - 'That's Not Really What They Are Like': Oilers Receive Surprising Praise From Matthew Tkachuk

EDMONTON -- It all comes down to this.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6skdXVraIyI[/embed]

The Edmonton Oilers are in the Stanley Cup Final, and the only thing standing in their way of hockey's ultimate prize is the Florida Panthers.

The Oilers have crossed paths with the Panthers during the regular season, to the detriment of the newly crowned Western Conference Champions. The last time they played the Panthers was on December 16th - a lot has changed since then.

In the regular season, the Oilers went on their historic 16-game win streak two games after their 5-1 drubbing at the hands of the Panthers. They have also won three playoff series.

They are not the same team that the Panthers victimized earlier.

Battle of Alberta alumni Matthew Tkachuk has found himself going toe-to-toe with the Oilers once again. Tkachuk was a member of the Calgary Flames during their 2022 playoff run. A run that was cut short in the second round by the Oilers.

Tkachuk spoke to the media in Florida on Tuesday. He highlighted some of the differences between this year's Oilers compared to years past, "there's been a little bit of turnover in the last couple years. I really haven't played against [Stuart] Skinner that much."

Then he gave the Oilers one of the highest compliments he possibly could, "I think they defend better as a team than they get credit for. I think everyone still thinks about McDavid and company, all-out offense, run-and-gun - that's not really what they are like.

"They obviously have that super high end offense but they are more complete now than they were two years ago. Very, very skilled team...have more defensive guys - other than [Evan] Bouchard - who is unbelievable offensively."

The season the Oilers have had was turbulent to say the least. That adversity has bred a team willing to play a tough defensive game to win.

And when you combine that with the offensive weapons they possess, it's hard to bet against this team.

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