Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov ejected for kneeing Matthew Tkachuk

Tonight Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov has been ejected against the Florida Panthers for a major knee-on-knee hit to Matthew Tkachuk.

The battle of Florida in the NHL has once again provided a hugely controversial moment in tonight’s game.

Early in the game between the Panthers and Lightning Tkachuk and Kucherov were both racing to a loose puck when they collided.

Kucherov made the initial contact with his knee and thigh coming into contact with Tkachuk’s knee and thigh resulting in Tkachuk collapsing in pain.

The referees would immediately stop play and call a penalty on Kucherov giving him a five-minute major penalty and ejecting him.

After the hit, Tkachuk would have to be helped off of the ice and would go down the tunnel to be evaluated by medical staff.

Tkachuk would be evaluated but then would eventually come back out on the ice to try and test out his legs and give playing another go.

Tkachuk as of now has returned to the game and seems to be doing well taking multiple shifts for the Panthers since coming back.

It remains to be seen what the fallout will be from this wild incident but this will continue to heat up the Panthers and Lightning rivalry as the season heads into the second half.

As the game finishes up we will get an official update on Tkachuk’s status from head coach Paul Maurice and pass that along to you regarding his health and availability going forward.

As for Kucherov, his next steps will likely be a call from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety regarding either a fine or suspension.