Lightning's Nikita Kucherov receives game misconduct for hit on Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk

Nikita Kucherov's game ended early on Monday night in Sunrise, as the Lightning and Panthers completed the second of their back-to-back games.

The Tampa Bay Lightning forward received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for a knee hit on Florida Panthers' forward, Matthew Tkachuk in the first period.

The contact happened with just over three minutes remaining in the first period. Kucherov appeard to be going for the puck inside the Lightning zone, when he crashed into Tkachuk with the right side of his body. Tkachuk immediately called for trainers and was helped down the tunnel.

Tkachuk was able to return 2:19 into the second period.

Kucherov scored the game's opening goal before heading out. The Lightning later won 4-0 against the state rivals.