Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk provided more details from his big fight with David Pastrnak.
During Game 2 of the second round between the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers this spring, David Pastrnak and Matthew Tkachuk gave fans a now-famous moment. The two superstar forwards created instant headlines by dropping the gloves.
It was certainly surprising to see, as Pastrnak is not known for his fighting ability. However, he was willing to drop the gloves with the incredibly tenacious Tkachuk to send a message to the Panthers that the Bruins would not go down without a fight.
During a recent appearance on The Cam & Strick Podcast, Tkachuk revealed more details from his fight with Pastrnak. Here is what the Bruins enemy said on the matter:
"I go over, and I'm talking to the refs, whatever. Marchand, their captain, is off the ice. So, it's Pastrnak coming over and talking. I'm like, 'Tell your guys to stop being idiots, otherwise I'm coming after you.' We just start talk and talk and talk. Then I'm like, 'Well, let's just fight next shift.' He didn't say no. He wasn't like backing down or scared. A lot of respect for him. I'm not, like, the toughest guy in the world. But I mean, I don't expect a guy like him to fight in general. So, I just leaned over and I asked him to fight. I'm like, 'We're doing this right now. I'm not waiting until next game.'"
David Pastrnak & Matthew Tkachuk
© Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Tkachuk then explained: "He literally looked to Monty (Jim Montgomery) and asked him. Monty's like, 'You want to?' I'm hearing this whole thing. Pastrnak's like, 'Yeah.' He's (Montgomery) like, 'All right, go ahead.' He (Pastrnak) looks at me like, 'I'm going out next shift -- power play. Let's do it.' I was like, 'I don't PK, but I'll see you out there.' I turned to Paul (Maurice) and I'm like, 'Paul, I'm going out next shift.' I think he was like, 'No, Chucky. It's a PK.' I'm like, 'Paul, I'm going to fight Pastrnak.' He was like, 'All right.'"
With the Bruins and Panthers facing off against each other in the playoffs in back-to-back years, they naturally have formed an intense rivalry. Thus, we should expect to see more moments like this between the two clubs in 2024-25. This is especially so with Pastrnak and the Bruins seeking redemption after having their last two seasons end in defeats to the Cats.
