Matthew Tkachuk's Suspension Fate Confirmed by NHL DoPS After Massive Hit on Jake Guentzel

The Florida-Tampa rivalry is the NHL's fiercest, and Game 3 between the Lightning and Panthers only added fuel to the fire.

In the later stages of the game, Florida superstar Matthew Tkachuk dished out a monster hit on Tampa forward Jake Guentzel.

NHL insiders David Pagnotta and Elliotte Friedman announced that Tkachuk will not face any further discipline for the hit.

Both insiders broke the news on their X accounts, indicating that despite outrage from the Lightning, no suspension is planned.

Tkachuk's punch enraged Lightning players and personnel. Guentzel called for the NHL to do something about it, and Lightning head coach Jon Cooper had his two cents' worth in post-game comments.

Most of the individuals in the Lightning organization believed that the punch at least warranted a suspension. The NHL Department of Player Safety does not agree, however.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman gave further explanation of the league's decision.

Sources to the situation, Friedman stated, told him the hit was classified as less intense than others which have led to suspensions and did not constitute direct head contact, key determinants in withholding any further supplemental discipline.

While Tampa Bay will vigorously protest the decision, they won't be able to help change the decision.

The Lightning won Game 3 and will now seek to tie up the series in Game 4 with a cunning and diligent approach against a Panthers team, and a thrilled Tkachuk, who will be on the ice when the two teams meet next.