NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Florida Panthers at Boston Bruins - Source: ImagnMatthew Tkachuk recalls what fueled nasty knucklefest throwdown against David Pastrnak. (Source: Imagn)

During a high-stakes moment in Game 2 of the Panthers-Bruins second-round playoff matchup in May, Matthew Tkachuk and David Pastrnak got into a fierce brawl.

On the latest episode of “The Cam and Strick Podcast,” Matthew Tkachuk discussed the heated confrontation that escalated into a fight with David Pastrnak:

“They’re out on the ice, and they’re like, Scrumming it up, and are being like, when you’re losing team, and you’re frustrated, and you’re acting like that, like, Hey, I’ve been there 1000 times. I get it. But that pisses you off.”


The two players then exchanged words, and the Panthers forward suggested they settle their differences with a fight in the next shift.

Matthew Tkachuk said Pastrnak didn’t back down:

“And I’m like, tell your guys to stop being idiots. Otherwise, I’m coming after you, and we just start to talk and talk. Then I’m like, well, let’s just fight next shift. And he’s like, he didn’t say no; I think he said he wasn’t, like, backing down or scared, like, a lot of respect for.”

Tkachuk said he was surprised that someone like Pastrnak would even consider fighting. The Panthers forward apparently leaned over and proposed the fight. He supposedly said he wanted to fight right then and there instead of waiting for the next game.

He noted that both players looked to their respective coaches for approval, with Pastrnak showing a willingness to engage. Matthew Tkachuk recalled that Pastrnak indicated he had a powerplay coming up, suggesting they could settle things on the ice.

David Pastrnak and the Boston Bruins put up a tough fight in the series but were ultimately eliminated by Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers, who eventually clinched the 2024 Stanley Cup.

“I think it was a good juice-up”: David Pastrnak on his bout with Matthew Tkachuk

During a “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast episode, Pastrnak opened up about his fight with Matthew Tkachuk. He said that after dodging the first punch, he struggled to maintain his balance, calling it “crazy.”

“So I was gonna wait for the first punch, and I was going to dodge it, which I did. But man, beats, I had no idea how hard it is to keep the balance, you know? It’s crazy because once I dodged the first punch, I was all off balance, and yeah, it’s too bad,” Pastrnak said.

However, Pastrnak remained upbeat about the experience, remarking:

“But honestly, I’m happy I did it. I think it was a good juice-up.”