Panthers Matthew Tkachuk helped off the ice after collision with Tampa Bay’s Kucherov

SUNRISE, Fla. — Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk had to be helped off the ice and taken to the locker room following a collision with Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov during Monday night’s game.

Kucherov crashed full-speed into Tkachuk’s right leg late in the first period, causing Tkachuk to fall and grab at his knee. He remained down for a couple minutes until a team trainer helped him off. He didn’t appear to put any weight on the leg.

Kucherov was assessed a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for the hit.

Tkachuk is second on the team with 13 goals and 22 assists in 30 games this season.

The Lightning led Florida 3-0 at the end of the first period thanks to goals by Kucherov, Jake Guentzel and Mitchell Chaffee.