Nikita Kucherov Faces Potential Suspension as NHL Player Safety Reviews Controversial Hit on Matthew Tkachuk
During Monday's game before the Christmas break, Lightning star forward Nikita Kucherov laid in a dirty hit and may be facing a potential suspension from the NHL.
Toward the end of the first frame of Monday's game between state rivals Florida and Tampa Bay, superstar forward Nikita Kucherov laid in a brutal body on knee hit to Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk.
It was a nasty hit that led to Kucherov getting a major and booted from the game, and due to his actions may be facing some discipline from the DPoS.
Nikita Kucherov's Past May Catch Up To Him
While it is the Christmas break and there is no indication of when the league will examine Kucherov's hit, but there's no doubt they have eyes on the situation.
It was clearly not by accident as Kucherov adjusted his stride and decided to essentially hip check Tkachuk in the knee and send him sprawling. Though the Panthers star tried to get up of his own accord, he needed help back to the locker room.
Thankfully for the Panthers and potentially Kucherov, Tkachuk was able to return to the ice and showing that grit and toughness he's known for.
This isn't Kucherov's first run-in with the league either. The forward has been suspended once before for his hit on Columbus' Markus Nutivaara in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
It's the fact that Kucherov is a repeat offender, having been suspended once before that could potentially give him some type of punishment.
It would be a big loss to the Lightning if he were to miss any time this season as the dynamic forward has scored 15 goals and 35 assists putting him 4th tied with Kirill Kaprizov with 50 points.
Tampa Bay currently sits fourth in the Atlantic, only six points behind the Panthers for top spot in a very tight divisional race.
It may take a few days before we learn of any punishment handed out to the star forward, but if his past history is any indication; there may be a suspension coming in the near future.
