Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand hits Florida Panthers forward Matthew TkachukBoston Bruins captain Brad Marchand hits Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk / Screenshot via Gino Hard on X.

The Boston Bruins got off to a hot start in Game 2 against the Florida Panthers, grabbing an early goal courtesy of Charlie Coyle.

But what had hockey fans talking early was the devastating hit delivered by Bruins captain Brad Marchand onto Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk.

During the opening period, Tkachuk was looking to make things happen in the offensive zone with the puck in his possession. He made the unfortunate mistake of trying to skate past Marchand, who responded in turn with the massive hit that sent Tkachuk sliding into the boards.

Both Tkachuk and Marchand are rather polarizing figures among NHL circles, and hockey fans were overjoyed to see the two going at it early into Game 2 with a bit of physical play.