Tarasenko drops the gloves & throws heavy punches in defense of his teammate.

Superstar players in the National Hockey League aren't supposed to throw punches like this. 

On Tuesday night with his St. Louis Blues in a commanding 3 - 0 lead over the Edmonton Oilers, Vladimir Tarasenko likely could have coasted his way throw the remainder of the game, but he did anything but that. 

With only 7 minutes gone in the games second period, Tarasenko took exception to a hit that young Oilers defenseman Matthew Benning delivered to Blues forward Brayden Schenn, and Tarasenko immediately went on the offensive. 

The talented forward challenged Benning to drop the gloves, and when Benning accepted the challenge Tarasenko, who admittedly was the bigger man in this fight, showed he's not afraid to trade big shots. 

Tarasenko appeared to land the best shot of the exchange and we'd have to give him the nod on this fight, but the death stare he gave Benning after the fact may mean this one isn't over yet.

Also worth noting, the fight earned Tarasenko a Gordie Howe hat trick on the night. 

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