Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Lightning's Nikita Kucherov Ejected for Kneeing Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Dec 24, 2024 6:15 AM ET

Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov was ejected during Monday’s game against the Florida Panthers following a knee-on-knee hit on Matthew Tkachuk.

The incident occurred late in the first period, with Kucherov receiving a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct after review by officials.

The collision left Tkachuk needing assistance to leave the ice, raising concerns about a potentially serious injury. However, Tkachuk returned to play in the second period.

“That’s who he is,” Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov said, per Jameson Olive of NHL.com. “He’s incredible. He’s not going down easily. You can count on him. He’s a true, true warrior.”

Tkachuk down the tunnel after a knee-on-knee collision.

Immediately waved at the trainer to come help him off the ice. pic.twitter.com/xG1CwwkRG4
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) December 24, 2024

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice echoed those sentiments, praising Tkatchuk for making a comeback even with the team already down three goals by the time he left the ice.

“He just knew we needed him back,” Maurice said. “He wasn’t at 100%, obviously. He tried to figure out a way tonight, and we appreciate that about him.”

Before his ejection, Kucherov had scored the game’s opening goal and the Lightning were leading 3-0. Despite losing their top scorer, the Lightning managed to score another goal and earned a decisive 4–0 victory over the Panthers.

Kucherov entered the game ranked fourth in the NHL with 49 points in 29 games. Monday’s ejection, however, marks only the second disciplinary penalty in the Russian's career following a one-game suspension in the 2019 playoffs for boarding Markus Nutivaara.

Tkachuk, meanwhile, has 35 points in 30 games and is coming off winning the Stanley Cup with the Panthers last summer. While his ability to return suggests the injury was not severe and could soften the NHL Department of Player Safety's decision, it's expected that the league review and potentially suspend Kucherov at some point during the holiday break.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: