Nikita Kucherov ejected for kneeing Matthew Tkachuk
(Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Lightning star Nikita Kucherov ejected after knee-on-knee hit on Matthew Tkachuk
  • Tkachuk returned in second period after scary incident in Battle of Florida
  • Read below for the Kucherov hit video and Tkachuk’s injury update

The Battle of Florida just escalated.

Lightning star Nikita Kucherov got tossed from Monday’s game after a knee-on-knee hit that sent Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk crashing to the ice late in the first period.

Check out the video here:

Video

The refs didn’t mess around. After a quick look at the replay, they slapped Kucherov with a five-minute major and gave him an early shower with a game misconduct.

Tkachuk needed help getting off the ice and couldn’t put any weight on his right leg. Panthers fans held their breath as their star forward disappeared down the tunnel.

But hockey players are built different.

In true Tkachuk fashion, he bounced back for the second period, drawing a massive roar from the home crowd. Talk about tough as nails.

The hit sparked heated debate online. Some fans called it a dirty play that deserves a suspension, while others argued Tkachuk put himself in a bad spot at the last second.

“God I hate to see this. Hope Matt is OK, but I don’t think Kuch had any intention to harm Tkachuk on this hit,” wrote one fan on X. “Looked like he was trying to avoid a direct collision and unfortunate knee on knee.”

Others weren’t buying it. “One of the more intentionally dirty plays I’ve seen,” fired back another fan.

This rivalry keeps getting spicier. This was the second of a home-and-home series, but the Panthers and Lightning still have two more meetings this season. You bet everyone will be watching those two matchups extra closely.

For now, all eyes turn to the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. They’ll have the final say on whether Kucherov faces any extra punishment.

Tkachuk’s been on fire lately, putting up 16 points in his last 11 games. The Panthers will be thanking their lucky stars he could return to action.