NHL Declines to Discipline Tkachuk for Game 3 Hit on Guentzel

Tampa Bay, FL – The NHL has decided not to impose any supplemental discipline on Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk for his hit on Jake Guentzel during Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series. Sources informed ESPN of the decision on Sunday.

Tkachuk received a five-minute major penalty for the hit, which occurred in the third period of the Panthers’ 5-1 defeat on Saturday. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety assessed that the penalty was sufficient, indicating that Guentzel had recently touched the puck and that Tkachuk did not make contact with Guentzel’s head.

Additionally, the department concluded that Tkachuk’s hit was less severe than a previous hit by Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel on Florida captain Aleksander Barkov in Game 2, which led to Hagel receiving a one-game suspension. Hagel’s hit was deemed interference, as the puck was clearly past Barkov when contact was made.

This situation sparked a war of words between the two teams’ coaches. After Barkov fell in Game 2, Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice remarked, "The only players we hit are the ones with pucks." While Barkov missed the end of that game, he returned to play in Game 3.

Following Tkachuk’s hit, Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper echoed Maurice’s earlier comment during his postgame press conference.

Despite the controversy, Tkachuk has been a standout player for the Panthers, leading the team with three goals and an assist through three games. Guentzel has contributed two goals and two assists for the Lightning.

The ongoing rivalry between Tampa Bay and Florida continues to build intensity, as either team has competed in the Stanley Cup Final for the past five seasons.

Game 4 of the series is scheduled for Monday at Amerant Bank Arena.