Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk avoids a suspension

Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk will not face any supplemental discipline for his late-game hit on Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jake Guentzel in Game 3. 

Despite Tkachuk receiving a five-minute major for interference on the hit, the NHL has determined no additional punishment is justified. As Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman notes, the reasons could be related to several factors, including there being no head contact and that Guentzel did touch the puck prior to the hit.

The hit comes one game after Tampa Bay forward Brandon Hagel received a one-game suspension for leveling Aleksander Barkov. Similar to Tkachuk, Hagel received a five-minute major for interference. 

As Friedman notes, the force of the hit Tkachuk delivered on Guentzel may not be considered as impactful as the one Hagel delivered to Barkov. And as David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period adds, Barkov never played the puck prior to being hit. It can also be noted that Barkov exited Game 2 and did not return, although he did suit up in game three.

Tkachuk’s hit drew the ire of multiple Lightning players, including captain Victor Hedman. He told reporters following the game, including Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times, that the timing of the hit was also questionable, as the Lightning were in the process of scoring an empty net goal to make the score 5-1. Hedman added that the team can’t control what actions are or are not worthy of suspension.

With Hagel set to return for Game 4 on Monday, it will be interesting to see if tensions remain high. Either way, Tkachuk remaining available for Game 4 and beyond is clearly welcomed news for the defending champs. Tkachuk was a key factor in the team’s run last season, registering 22 points in 24 playoff games, and he is off to a fast start in three games so far this year, securing three goals and an assist thus far. Florida currently leads the series 2-1.

Meanwhile, Guentzel, who appears fine and ready to go for Game 4, continues to build upon his impressive playoff history. As Benjamin Pierce points out on the team’s website, the 30-year-old is tied with Edmonton forward Leon Draisaitl for the seventh-highest goals-per-game average in NHL playoff history.