Apr 26, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first period during game three of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/c79ac25c-e2c4-46db-ba50-f43676ad09f3.jpeg] Apr 26, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first period during game three of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images) Matthew Tkachuk will not be facing any supplemental discipline following Game 3 between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. Late in the third period of Tampa’s 5-1 win, Tkachuk was given a five-minute major for interference after an open ice hit on the Lightning’s Jake Guentzel. With less than five minutes remaining in the game, Tkachuk was done for the night. B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) on X [https://pbs.twimg.com/amplify_video_thumb/1916216622106185728/img/QpNRu-3WeBEEz7RB.jpg:large] B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) on X Matthew Tkachuk has been given a 5-minute major for this hit on Jake Guentzel before Tampa's ENG [https://x.com/BR_OpenIce/status/1916216706889924978/video/1] The hit came one game after Tampa forward Brandon Hagel was given a five-minute major, also for interference, on a hit on Florida Captain Sasha Barkov. Hagel was subsequently suspended for one game by the NHL Department of Player Safety. Barkov left the game and did not return, but he was able to play for Florida in Game 3. Overall, the physical intensity in the series has been gradually increasing. It came as no surprise to see Tkachuk go for the hit on Guentzel, and it will be interesting to see how both teams handle themselves as the series continues forward. According to NHL inside David Pagnotta [https://x.com/TheFourthPeriod/status/1916516381220089981], the difference between the hits – that Guentzel had played the puck and Tkachuk made no head contact – were contributing factors to the league’s decision not to hold a disciplinary hearing for Tkachuk. So far in the series, Tkachuk has racked up three goals and an assist. Game 4 between the Panthers and Lightning is set for Monday night at Amerant Bank Arena. Hagel will be back from his suspension and both teams should be at full strength for what should be an amazing game between two powerhouse squads. The puck drops in Sunrise at 7 p.m. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Three takeaways: Game 3 had some good elements but ultimately got away from Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/three-takeaways-game-3-had-some-good-elements-but-ultimately-got-away-from-panthers] Panthers falter on home ice in Game 3, Tampa Bay picks up first win of series [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-falter-on-home-ice-in-game-3-tampa-bay-picks-up-first-win-of-series] Sasha Barkov will play Game 3 against Tampa Bay [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/sasha-barkov-will-play-game-3-against-tampa-bay] Ekblad set to return, Hagel suspended as Panthers seek to take stranglehold on series with Tampa Bay [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/ekblad-set-to-return-hagel-suspended-as-panthers-seek-to-take-stranglehold-on-series-with-tampa-bay] Panthers' Nate Schmidt Ties NHL Record With Hot Playoff Start [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-nate-schmidt-ties-nhl-record-with-hot-playoff-start]
