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Panthers Lead Series as Tkachuk Avoids Suspension After Controversial Hit

Florida's Matthew Tkachuk will face no further discipline for his late hit on Tampa Bay's Jake Guentzel, while the Panthers prepare for Game 4 with a 2-1 series lead.

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Sam Bennett #9 of the Florida Panthers scores past Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first period of Game One of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amalie Arena on April 22, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.
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Overview

  • Matthew Tkachuk's hit on Jake Guentzel in Game 3 earned a five-minute major penalty but no additional suspension, as determined by the NHL's Department of Player Safety.
  • The NHL cited Guentzel's recent puck possession and the absence of head contact as reasons for not escalating Tkachuk's penalty.
  • Tampa Bay defeated Florida 5-1 in Game 3, narrowing the Panthers' series lead to 2-1 and reigniting momentum for the Lightning.
  • Both teams' coaches traded remarks in the media, with Lightning coach Jon Cooper echoing Panthers coach Paul Maurice's earlier comments about targeting players with the puck.
  • Game 4 is set for Monday in Sunrise, Florida, with the Panthers aiming to extend their lead and the Lightning seeking to even the series.