Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk Reportedly Won't Be Disciplined for Hit on Jake Guentzel

Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk will not face any further discipline for his hit on Tampa Bay Lightning's Jake Guentzel, according to ESPN's Emily Kaplan.

The hit occurred during Game 3 of the teams' Eastern Conference first-round series on Sunday, with Tkachuk receiving a five-minute major penalty in the third period.

"According to sources, the NHL Department of Player Safety determined that was enough, considering Guentzel had recently touched the puck and Tkachuk didn't make contact with Guentzel's head," Kaplan reported.

The Department of Player Safety also determined that Tkachuk's hit was less forceful than the one delivered by Tampa Bay's Brandon Hagel on Florida captain Aleksander Barkov in Game 2, per Kaplan. Hagel’s hit resulted in a one-game suspension.

Both coaches traded jabs, with Florida’s Paul Maurice saying after Game 2, “The only players we hit are the ones with pucks.”

In response, Tampa Bay’s head coach mirrored Maurice’s comment after Game 3 following Tkachuk's hit.

The Panthers lead the series 2-1, with Tkachuk pacing the team in scoring with three goals and one assist this postseason.

Game 4 is set for Monday in Florida.