Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov receives his suspension verdict from the Department of Player Safety

For years, the NHL has been considered one of the most physical sports leagues in the world, but sometimes that intensity goes from hard-nosed to downright dangerous. That was the case on Monday night with an illegal hit.

During the highly over-promoted Battle of Florida, Tampa Bay Lighting's Nikita Kucherov had himself a knee-on-knee hit to Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers.

The dangerous play sent Nikita Kucherov to the box for a five-minute major penalty and was tagged with a game misconduct.

Matthew Tkachuk, despite being in clear pain immediately following the play, would eventually return to the game much to the delight of the Panthers fans.

The roaring standing ovation upon his return was a sure-fire indicator that fears of a long-term injury to the star forward were thankfully not founded.

The NHL's Department of Player Safety has weighed in on the play and assessed Kucherov with no extra discipline.

While Kucherov isn't necessarily considered one of the dirtier players in the league, he's definitely had his moments.

Fortunately for Tkachuk, it seems like he has dodged a bullet, and he might be ready to go on December 27th when NHL action resumes.

With the chances of Kucherov committing such an infraction this season again extremely low, the Department of Player Safety figured nothing more would come.