“Couldn’t happen to a more deserving scumbag”: Fans rejoice as Matthew Tkachuk gets trucked by massive hit in his first game since return from injury
NHL fans on social media reacted as Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk got trucked by San Jose Sharks defenseman Vincent Desharnais during Monday’s matchup.
The incident unfolded in the first period as Tkachuk was skating with the puck near center ice when Desharnais delivered a monstrous open-ice hit that shook the Panthers forward. Matthew Tkachuk, who recently made his season debut after returning from offseason surgery, was playing his first game back following a long injury absence.
The Panthers, meanwhile, visited the White House to celebrate their back-to-back Stanley Cup wins, where Tkachuk delivered a brief patriotic speech at the podium in front of President Donald Trump.
“The two Cups was pretty good, but that walk with you might’ve trumped it all. That was pretty amazing. We’re so honored to be here,” Tkachuk said. “Being an American – I know I said it last year – but nothing beats this. I’m so proud to be an American and so proud to be here with you and everybody else.”
Here’s how fans on X (formerly called Twitter) reacted to Vincent Desharnais’ hit on Matthew Tkachuk. One tweeted:
Atta boy Vinny. Couldn’t happen to a more deserving scumbag 😂
“Atta boy Vinny. Couldn’t happen to a more deserving scumbag”
“Hammer that Trump lover!!”
“What a beautiful hit by Desharnais.”
Here are some of the other top reactions on X:
“Matthew Tkachuk is the fakest of fake tough guys,” a third fan wrote.
“So Tkachuck pisses Vinny off early in the period…then Vinny scores and lays tkachuck out like this…nice work Matthew,” another user wrote.
“That hit trumped any other hit I’ve seen this season,” another chimed in.
Matthew Tkachuk’s Panthers fall to San Jose Sharks at home
On Monday, the Florida Panthers suffered a 4-1 defeat to the San Jose Sharks at Amerant Bank Arena.
After a goalless first period, Will Smith put the Sharks ahead just 50 seconds into the second period. Vincent Desharnais increased the Sharks’ lead to 2-0 at 2:41, and then Mario Ferraro scored to make it 3-0 before the team headed into the third period.
Eetu Loustarinen, the lone scorer for the Panthers in the game, cut the deficit to 3-1 just 43 seconds into the third period. With less than three minutes remaining in the matchup, Barclay Goodrov scored the winner for the Sharks with his empty-net strike.
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Edited by Abhishek Dilta
