The only thing missing from the viral dust-up between Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark and Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk was Ullmark’s postgame reaction.

That was sorely missing after the incident late in Sunday’s Game 4, which was easily the most memorable image of the series so far. It’s funny that if Ullmark does end up hoisting the Stanley Cup for the Bruins this summer, there’s a good chance his biggest moment was not a big save but a near-brawl. With a skater, no less.

You’re probably here to see the video. Here it is:

• ULLMARK WANTED A PIECE OF TKACHUK 😳😤 pic.twitter.com/6UE1g4bh9H

  — B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 23, 2023

• Matthew Tkachuk goes at Linus Ullmark and a line brawl breaks out: pic.twitter.com/IKIZ2AugPb

  — Evan Marinofsky (@EvanMarinofsky) April 23, 2023

• Ullmark is always delightful to hear speak in his postgame pressers, so it was unfortunate that he couldn’t react to the Tkachuk dust-up right after Game 4 was over. But he was available on Tuesday and finally gave his much-needed reaction. He explained, first and foremost, that he acted out a bit because the game was well in hand for the Bruins and he probably would’ve kept his composure if the game were closer.

  “Things happen so fast and so quickly,” Ullmark said. “You have everybody trying to stick up for each other. I tried to do the same there at the end as well. But, it’s not something that I’m actively seeking out, especially late in games like that. If it was a 3-2 game, I wouldn’t have done anything like that. It’s 5-2, there’s a little different feeling to it.”

  Ullmark said he got mostly positive reactions from teammates, but perhaps astonishment – “not confusion, but surprise as well,” he said.

  “My job is to stop pucks and not do stuff like that, obviously,” Ullmark added. “So, I think that’s where the surprise came from.”

  🎥 Linus Ullmark on the tussle at the end of Game 4: "Things happen so fast and so quickly. You have everybody trying to stick up for each other. I tried to do the same there at the end. It's not something that I'm actively seeking out." pic.twitter.com/ft6GhlDyMj

  — Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 25, 2023

• One of the people sending Ullmark messages of surprise at his temper flaring: his mother. But he explained.

  “I spoke the truth,” Ullmark said. “You can’t lie to mom.”

  It’s probably for the best that Ullmark didn’t actually fight Tkachuk, and vice versa. But the theatrics of it all were fun enough, for Bruins fans, anyway.

• Sports Hub Underground | Bruins-Panthers Reactions

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• Ullmark and the Bruins will look to clinch the series against the Panthers on Wednesday night at TD Garden, with a start time of 7 p.m. ET. You can get the call of the game on 98.5 The Sports Hub and the Sports Hub app.

  Click here for complete Boston Bruins coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

  Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

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