NHL Faces Backlash Over Alleged Double Standard Following Matthew Tkachuk's Game 4 Incident

As the Maple Leafs head back home for Game 5 against the Florida Panthers, they are going to have a target on their back, much like the Panthers.

Both Evan Rodrigues and Sasha Barkov were both laid out, and the reigning champs aren't going to take that lightly.

Matthew Tkachuk is certainly going to be focused in on inflicting as much damage as possible to Toronto as he and the rest of the team try to take a 3-2 lead and finish things out back home themselves.

Not only did he end up warning William Nylander that he might be coming for him, he also ended up throwing down quite a vicious taunt towards Bobby McMann, gesturing a throat slice towards the young forward.

It was a bold move from Tkachuk that has seemingly gone undiscussed, and it's something that warrants a look from the NHL Player Safety Department no doubt.

There's precedence too. Nazem Kadri was fined for the same gesture when he was a member of the Maple Leafs, and if the league is truly serious about protecting players, this is a genuine threat.

It's one thing to play harder and let some rough things go, but when a player outwardly tells another "You're dead meat." that's a cause for concern.

The variety of ways that Tkachuk can inflict damage on Toronto is vast. He could shove a few stars into the boards like Max Domi did to Aleksander Barkov, or lay in another vicious elbow much like his teammates have.

Or, worst case scenario, he uses his stick to hurt someone and with his mean streak and reckless behavior, someone could be seriously in jeopardy. It's frustrating too, as Toronto can't really retaliate without punishment.

The league needs to at least fine Tkachuk for the throat slash, as it has no place in the game even if the playoffs are more heated than usual.

They did it to the Maple Leafs way back when, and Nazem Kadri paid the price. But in this modern age, with all the breaks the Panthers have gotten, don't be surprised if he is allowed to walk away from this unscathed.