Saturday’s game between the Los Angeles Kings and Florida Panthers ended in rough fashion after a controversial play by Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk.
After a save by Kings goalie Jonathan Quick, made after Tkachuk tried to deflect the shot from in close, the Panthers forward appeared to raise his stick and poke the goaltender in the facemask in the final minute of the third period.
Then, just before the buzzer sounded to end the Kings’ 5-4 win, Tkachuk was again in front of the net when he was attacked by Quick and several other Los Angeles players.
Tkachuk was assessed a 10-minute misconduct and minor for goaltender interference.
A player long considered to play on the edge, Tkachuk was traded to the Panthers by the Calgary Flames in a blockbuster deal this summer.
Tkachuk has five goals, 12 assists and 18 penalty minutes in 12 games this season.