Stanley Cup Final: Matthew Tkachuk exits after huge hit, returns to send Game 3 to OT

Matthew Tkachuk is well-known around the NHL for his elite combination of skill and grit, one of the few superstars in the league who can affect the game in a variety of ways.

Tkachuk got a taste of his own medicine in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday night when Vegas Golden Knights forward Keegan Kolesar caught him with a crushing hit in open ice early in the first period.

Tkachuk was slow to get up, stumbling to his feet before slowly skating over to the Panthers' bench.

The 25-year-old remained in the game for his next shift on the power play, but was visibly uncomfortable. After speaking with trainers on the bench, Tkachuk was seen heading down the tunnel and remained there for the first of the opening frame. While the immediate concern for Tkachuk was a head injury, he was seen favouring his right shoulder on the bench.

He returned to play early in the second period and would finish the game.

And, as he has all playoffs long, Tkachuk came up clutch for the Panthers once again, despite being battered and bruised, tying the game at two goals apiece late in the third period to send Game 3 to overtime.

Florida would go on to win the game in overtime after Carter Verhaeghe's shot found its way to the back of the net with none other than Matthew Tkachuk screening Vegas goaltender Adin Hill.

Tkachuk dished out arguably the biggest hit of the postseason in Game 2 when his flattened Vegas star forward Jack Eichel in the second period.

Eichel would eventually return to the game and add an assist to his team-leading 22 points in the playoffs.

Tkachuk leads the Panthers in points with 24, playing a pivotal role in Florida's unlikely run to the Stanley Cup Final.