WATCH: Tkachuk cheap shots Hathaway with cross check after whistle originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk plays on the edge as a true power forward, but he crossed the line at the end of the first period in Sunday’s Game 4 against the Boston Bruins.
Tkachuk was given a two-minute minor penalty for cross-checking Bruins forward Garnet Hathaway after the first period buzzer had already sounded. It was a dirty hit right to the ribs, and it caused Hathaway to stay down on the ice for a few minutes before he was able to skate toward the locker room.
The Panthers star was lucky to escape a major penalty. Tkachuk’s cheap shot is absolutely deserving of further discipline from the NHL — players have been fined for a lot less.
Tkachuk was drilled by Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy on a huge hit earlier in the period. Overall, it was a very physical 20 minutes of playoff hockey.
The Bruins, who entered Sunday leading this first-round series 2-1, entered the first intermission with a 1-0 lead thanks to a power-play goal by Brad Marchand.
