Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Nikita Nesterov is expected to face the NHL's Department of Player Safety for his hit from behind on Dallas Stars forward Curtis Mckenzie.

Nesterov hit McKenzie from behind and into the boards late in the second period of Thursday's 5-3 Stars victory.

McKenzie was injured on the play and required assistance getting off the ice. The Stars did not provide any update on his condition, only that he was taken to hospital.

Nesterov, who does not have a previous disciplinary history in his 29-game career, received five minutes and a game misconduct on the play.