Matthew Tkachuk leaves game after hit on knee by Nikita Kucherov

Florida Panthers star forward Matthew Tkachuk was injured during the first period of Monday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Tkachuk took a knee-on-knee hit from Tampa Bay forward Nikita Kucherov and immediately went to the ice, clutching his right leg.

He needed help skating off the ice and getting to the Panthers locker room, not putting any weight on his right leg.

Kucherov was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for the hit, which was reviewed and upheld.

You can see the hit in the tweet below:

Tkachuk has been one of the hottest players in the NHL this month, racking up eight goals and 16 points in 11 games, including Monday.

The Panthers have not provided any updates on Tkachuk yet. Florida Head Coach Paul Maurice will be asked about the play and Tkachuk’s stats after the game.

UPDATE:

Tkachuk returned to the Panthers bench less than three minutes into the second period and immediately took the ice.

“We wouldn’t let him back in the game if we didn’t think he was going to be okay,” Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice told Scripps Sports Katie Engelson during an in-game interview.

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