Tampa Bay Lightning top prospect Connor Geekie to face suspension hearing for breaking NHL rule

This rivalry between the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning has really picked up steam over the last couple of years and is fast becoming one of the more exciting matchups in the league. This rivalry, sometimes referred to as the "Battle of Florida," pits two teams against each other that have grown into legitimate contenders in the Atlantic Division, lending special meaning to their games. It was not just a tussle between two teams but also one for regional dominance, and such a match invariably conveys high energy, physicality, and drama.

Josh Davies' presence was felt physically, with a big hit on the neutral zone on Tampa Bay's new captain, Victor Hedman, in the preseason game between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.

That hit didn't go unpunished, as Nikita Kucherov reacted quite fast, followed a bit later by Conor Geekie.

A misconduct penalty for wrestling Davies to the ice gave Geekie an early exit, but Florida's 20-year-old rookie stayed in the game and was just fine. Conor Geekie is scheduled to have a hearing with the NHL to determine if he will be suspended.

Davies was selected by the Panthers in the sixth round of the 2022 Draft and finished with a game-leading eight hits, making quite an impression with his aggressive play.

This fierce competition between these two teams further raises fans' curiosity to watch these clashes of the two teams in one of the most anticipated games of the year. It means more than wins and losses; it's about the message, dominance, and proving who is the king of the Sunshine State. The players can feel it, the fans can feel it, and it quickly developed into one of the must-watch rivalries in the NHL. Unfortunately for Conor Geekie, he may have taken it too far.