Jack Eichel injury update: Golden Knights star returns to Game 2 ...

In typical Vegas fashion, you might win, but at what cost?

The Golden Knights have been the beneficiary of everything so far in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final, except late in the second period during Game 2. Already up 4-0, Vegas was in position to just coast to the finish.

But in games like these, physicality always becomes a concern. Golden Knights' center Jack Eichel learned that the hard way with 2:08 remaining in the period when he stumbled and felt the weight of Matthew Tkachuk's monster hit at the blue line.

Matthew Tkachuk just lit up Jack Eichel, massive hit#TimeToHunt | #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/y3puhAlcfo

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) June 6, 2023

MORE: Panthers vs. Golden Knights live score, updates, highlights from Game 2 of Stanley Cup Final

As is customary in the NHL, a melee ensued resulting in Tkachuk and Ivan Barbashev each receiving a roughing minor and a 10-minute misconduct. It marked Tkachuk's second misconduct in as many games. Alex Pietrangelo and Gustav Forsling were each handed roughing minors as well. 

There was no penalty given for the hit.  

The Sporting News monitors the status of the Golden Knights star center, Jack Eichel. 

Following the hit, Eichel immediately left the ice. The TNT broadcast was quick to point out Eichel's history with a neck injury. 

Here's another angle of the hit:

My goodness, Matthew Tkachuk blows up Jack Eichel pic.twitter.com/xxIHdx9ZJk

— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) June 6, 2023

The end result of the hit will leave many questioning why no penalties were given to Tkachuk for the incident, but it was shoulder-to-shoulder — which is about as clean a hit in open ice that you can get. 

MORE: NHL misconduct penalty, explained: What to know one of the more uncommon infractions in hockey

Given the score, it was fair to question whether Eichel should return given how feisty the series has been, but he did anyway — starting the third period on the bench for Vegas.

Holy Smokes Eichel is on the bench

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 6, 2023

It didn't take long for him to make an impact, assisting on a Jonathan Marchessault goal to give the Knights a 5-1 lead early in the third. 

Jonathan Marchessault takes Eichel's pass to the net and fires one home to put Vegas back up by 4!#VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/w5TLmG0G75

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) June 6, 2023

The Panthers may have hoped that Tkachuk's hit could help get them back into the series. Instead, they'll need their star to start making an impact on the ice and not in the penalty box.