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NHL / Playoffs
Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk will not receive supplemental discipline for his hit on Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jake Guentzel in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series. The NHL Department of Player Safety determi...
The decision not to suspend Tkachuk comes after a review of the hit, which occurred late in the third period of Game 3. While Tkachuk received a five-minute major for interference, the league determined that the hit was not as forceful as Hagel’s hit on Barkov, nor did it involve head contact. This contrasts with the Hagel suspension, where the league emphasized that Barkov had not touched the puck before the hit.
Lightning coach Jon Cooper acknowledged the difficulty of the NHL's Department of Player Safety's job, stating that they are 'cheering for the game to be played properly.' However, some Lightning players, like Victor Hedman, expressed concerns about the timing of the hit, suggesting Tkachuk went out of his way to deliver it with the game's outcome already decided.
Despite the controversy, both teams are preparing for Game 4, with Hagel returning from his suspension. The series has been marked by increasing physicality, and both teams are focused on maintaining discipline while matching the intensity.
The NHL Department of Player Safety determined that the five-minute major penalty Tkachuk received during Game 3 was sufficient, as Guentzel had touched the puck and there was no head contact.
Brandon Hagel was suspended for one game due to a hit on Aleksander Barkov where Barkov had not touched the puck, and the hit was deemed more forceful.
While accepting the league's decision, some Lightning players expressed concerns about the timing and intent of Tkachuk's hit.
Do you think the NHL made the right call on the Tkachuk hit? How will the increasing physicality impact the rest of the series? Let us know your thoughts!
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