Fans reacted as the Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk was forced to leave Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning after sustaining a knee-on-knee hit from Nikita Kucherov late in the first period. The collision occurred in Florida's offensive zone as Kucherov moved in on Tkachuk at full speed, making direct knee-on-knee contact and knocking Tkachuk to the ice.
Kucherov was assessed a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct following a review of the play. Tkachuk needed assistance getting off the ice.
Fans were quick to criticize Kucherov on social media following the incident. One fan called him an,
"Kucherov is an absolute dirtbag. Bro always gets a pass because he puts up points but he's just another scum bucket."
Another fan wrote,
"Yeah, totally intentional" on X.
Here are some more fan reactions, with many ripping Kucherov:
"Borderline collision; look dirty. Kucherov lifted his feet and his left skate took out the Tkachuk's right skate." one fan wrote.
"What a cheap shot incredible never mind the @NHL suspending him player PA should. That’s so bad what a joke dirty as can get. Dude does this too often. Despicable." a user commented.
"Yeah no other intentions then to hurt him, did even line it up just went straight for knee and head" another user wrote.
However, at least one fan gave Kucherov some benefit of the doubt:
"I’m not sure if kuch intended to collide knee on knee, he definitely tried to hit him but kuch just a weird way of skating that he keeps his very wide at all times." another fan wrote.
The Lightning held a 3-0 lead over the Panthers at the end of the second period. Mitchell Chaffee, Jake Guentzel and Nikita Kucherov scored for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Matthew Tkachuk returns and receives penalty in another play
Matthew Tkachuk returned during a second period's power play and received a loud ovation from Florida’s fans.
However, later in the second period, Tkachuk found himself in the penalty box after a hit on Luke Glendening. Tkachuk was given a 2-minute minor for roughing after driving Glendening into the boards.
Before Matthew Tkachuk's penalty, a scuffle broke out resulting in multiple penalties. A.J. Greer and Emil Lilleberg received matching roughing minors while Dmitry Kulikov and Nick Paul each got misconducts for their roles in the skirmish.