Infuriated hockey fans expressed their anger on social media over Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk’s dangerous play. The frustration grew after it was announced that Tkachuk would face no further disciplinary action.
Tkachuk was assessed a five-minute major penalty for interference during the third period of Game 3 of the first-round playoff series between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, April 26.
Matthew Tkachuk Dropped Tampa Bay’s Jake Guentzel to the Ice
The Panthers’ forward body-slammed Bolts player Jake Guentzel, who had just passed the puck to a teammate, near the center line. Guentzel’s pass resulted in Anthony Cirelli scoring Tampa Bay’s fifth goal on the night, an empty-netter at 15:00 in the third.
On Sunday, NHL insider and Sportsnet analyst Elliotte Friedman posted on X that no further action will be taken against Tkachuk. Friedman also pointed out the probable reasons behind the NHL Department of Player Safety’s decision.
There will be no hearing/supplemental discipline for Matthew Tkachuk
Reasoning as I understand it:
*Force of hit not considered at level of Hagel/Barkov
*No head contact
*Guentzel touched puck— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC)
Fans on social media reacted to Friedman’s post. Some of them vehemently disagreed with the analyst’s reasoning.
Why wouldn’t every losing team unload on the opposing star player at end of game (clean hit) and take the 5 min penalty? Open season.
— the Ozark Shark (@99Ozark)
“A fine would be reasonable,” another fan said.
“Incoming mad Lightning fans lololol,” a user stated.
Other fans agreed with Friedman’s logic, pointing out the different refereeing standards applied to the playoffs.
Yes. People forget this is playoff hockey. A 5 min penalty is sufficient and as you point out, apples and oranges, especially since Guentzel played the PP right after whereas Barkov missed the rest of a 1-0 game.
— Joe Benjamin (@JoeBenjamin_)
Some fans claimed Tkachuk and the Panthers were getting special treatment. They also pointed out Bolts defenseman Brandon Hagel received a one-game suspension after being assessed a five-minute penalty for interference against Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov in Game 2 of the series.
There will be no hearing/supplemental discipline for Matthew Tkachuk
Reasoning as the NHL understands it:
*There is a special rule book and treatment for Matthew Tkachuk— Captain Jack 🏴☠️ (@OilersJack)
Lightning Crush Panthers 5–1 in Game 3
After dropping the first two games of the playoff series at home, the Bolts struck back with a big win at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Jake Guentzel scored a goal and had two assists as Tampa Bay picked up its first win in the best-of-seven series.
“It is a huge win for our team, gives us some confidence and some life in this series,” Guentzel said via NHL.com. “It’s a good step in the right direction for all of us. But it’s only one game. We have to be ready to go for the next one.”
The other Lightning scorers were Brayden Point, Nick Paul, Luke Glendening, and Anthony Cirelli. At the same time, goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy made 33 saves to deny the Panthers, whose lone goal was scored by Matthew Tkachuk at 2:43 in the first period to open the scoring.
Saturday’s game was only the fourth time in 25 playoff games since 2023 that Florida had lost after scoring first. Game 4 of the series will be played on Monday, April 28.
