The latest episode of The Hockey Show has dropped. This week, hosts Roy Bellamy and David Dwork were joined by Adnan Virk of NHL on Prime and the NHL Network for his monthly visit. The trio discussed the tightening playoff race in the Eastern Conference,

NEWARK—New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier and Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk have history. And that history was revisited on Tuesday night amid the Devils’ 2-1 shootout loss to the defending Stanley Cup Champions.

Tensions boiled over Tuesday night at Prudential Center as the Florida Panthers defeated the New Jersey Devils 2-1 in a shootout.

Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk found himself in the middle of a fracas — surprise! — during the third period of Tuesday’s game against the Devils.

Matthew Tkachuk had himself an excitable night with the Florida Panthers on Friday night. Tkachuk spent a good portion of Florida’s 3-2 shootout win against the Penguins off of the ice, officials slapping him with a 2-minute unsportsmanlike penalty as well as a 10-minute misconduct in the second period.

Sam Reinhart leads the Panthers in goals (27) and points (51), while Matthew Tkachuk is second in both points (40) and assists (26). Recently named the “Athlete of the Year” in his native Finland, captain Aleksander Barkov ranks third in points (38) and first in assists (27).

Hischier never saw him coming. Tkachuk hit Hischier high and sent him onto his back. ESPN play-by-play announcer Bob Wischusen called it “a big, freight-train hit,” and analyst and former Devils defenseman PK Subban screamed, “Whoa!” on the call. Then all hell broke loose.

The Florida Panthers’ forward Matthew Tkachuk gave a brutally honest take when asked if he would consider suiting up for Canada in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament starting in February.

For the third straight game, the Devils headed to extra time. But it was Florida that would steal the extra point in a shootout. Anton Lundell scored the deciding tally to lift the Panthers to a 2-1 shootout victory at Prudential Center on Tuesday night.

Lundell started the play by stealing the puck from Alex Killorn in the neutral zone. Lundell skated in, then his shot deflected in off the stick of Brian Dumoulin. The puck trickled in after Gibson had made a partial stop.

New Jersey Devils defencemen Johnathan Kovacevic was fined $1,996.53, the maximum allowed under the NHL’s CBA, for cross-checking Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk on Wednesday.