Matthew Tkachuk sent down the tunnel in Boston

Jack Studley just reported that the referees sent Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk down the tunnel with 8:08 left in the third period in Boston.

His day was over. The Bruins went on to win 4-1, and the Panthers have given no update on why Tkachuk left.

Referees send Matthew Tkachuk down the tunnel, per Studley, who wrote that his day is over with 8:08 to go in the third period.

The post does not say what the call was, and it does not say Tkachuk is hurt. All we know is that the referees sent him off and that he did not return.

The afternoon was ugly well before that. Brady Tkachuk's fight with Zadorov came right at the start, and the teams had piled up 86 penalty minutes after two periods.

Shortly before Matthew's exit, Studley reported that Brady Tkachuk and Mark Kastelic each received 10-minute misconducts, ending both of their afternoons with Boston up 4-1 and 5:29 to play.

Matthew had already been in the box. He took a high-sticking penalty and a delay-of-game penalty earlier in the game.

Florida was chasing the game with its goalie pulled, so losing both Tkachuks in the last ten minutes only added to a lost afternoon. Matthew entered the day with 25 points in 17 games, the team lead.

Those numbers are from before today's game. Four goals and 21 assists make him the playmaker on a team that sat 9-6-2 heading in.

Does this affect Matthew Tkachuk's chase for 700 points?

Nothing says it does. He stood at 695 career points entering the day, five short of 700, and Studley's post does not mention any further consequence from the referees.

We told you this morning that Reinhart and Tkachuk were both chasing 700. Neither got there in Boston.

Here is the editorial take: a team down 4-1 with five minutes left gains nothing from two misconducts and a star in the tunnel. Florida's most productive forward is gone for an empty finish, and the Panthers are the ones who feel it.

Now the focus turns to what Florida says about Tkachuk. The Panthers play at Columbus on Tuesday, where he is five points from 700.

Quick hits

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTSShea Theodore has played 600 games as a Golden Knight, the team announced this afternoon as Vegas battles the Sabres in Buffalo. That is a lot of blue line minutes for one franchise.

DALLAS STARSElliotte Friedman just reported that Arvid Soderblom (Chicago) and Poirier (Washington) are on waivers. Stars fans will want to keep an eye on that wire.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNINGErik Erlendsson reports Yanni Gourde has been activated off injured reserve ahead of the Lightning's game at Winnipeg tonight. A welcome body back in the lineup.

COLORADO AVALANCHECorey Masisak just reported that Cale Makar left Avalanche practice in pain. No further detail yet, and with a player this important, Colorado fans will be waiting nervously.

BOSTON BRUINSCharlie McAvoy, who started the Bruins power play, went to the room against the Panthers after a scrum involving Lundell. No explanation has been given.