Panthers Vladimir Tarasenko flattens Lightning's Nikita Kucherov

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TJ Tucker
April 21, 2024 (2:10 PM)

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Things got chippy right away between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers with Vladimir Tarasenko steamrolling Nikita Kucherov with a massive hit.

These two teams don't like it each, so there no surprise that game one of the first round Stanley Cup playoffs series between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning featured a massive hit.

Bolts star player Nikita Kucherov was crossing over Florida's blueline when he had a minor collision with a member of the Panthers and lost the puck. In his attempt to look for it, Vladimir Tarasenko of the Panthers took the opportunity to completely flatten him with a huge hit that put Kucherov down and slow to get up.

This was likely a missed call on the part of the referee's. Kucherov tried to plead his case for interference, but the official's ignored him. He certainly had an argument for it at the very least. Either way, Kucherov had to collect his thought and get right back it.

"That hit by Tarasenko on Kucherov was clear as day interference. He's already separated from the puck, that's late, and about as obvious as a penalty as it gets. But as we already know, NHL referees decided this year that Kucherov isn't allowed to draw penalties."