Boston Bruins
“Could have easily broken Rasmus’ arm with the cross-check.”
Nikita Zadorov was fined by the NHL on Monday. AP Photo/Winslow Townson
Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov is going to be a little lighter in the wallet after drawing the ire of the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.
The league announced on Monday morning that Zadorov has been fined $5,000 — the maximum allowable under the NHL and NHLPA’s CBA — for cross-checking Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin in the third period of Sunday’s Game 4 blowout loss at TD Garden.
The incident occurred with just 3:17 left in what was an eventual 6-1 win for Buffalo on Causeway Street.
During a stoppage in play, Zadorov exchanged words with Dahlin at center ice before delivering a cross-check to the defenseman’s arm — shattering his stick in the process. Zadorov then delivered a punch to Dahlin’s head, sparking an extended brouhaha that resulted in several penalties being assessed.
Both Zadorov and Sabres forward Zach Benson were assessed game misconducts, with Zadorov also whistled for a five-minute major for his cross-check.
Despite the fine, the Bruins and Zadorov avoided any additional discipline from the league, which could have been warranted had Dahlin been injured on the play.
“I understand the emotion of that because of the way the game went,” Buffalo head coach Lindy Ruff said postgame on Sunday. “You see that in playoff games. That type of raw emotion, it’s because a player is so frustrated with the game.
“There’s lots of bantering back and forth inside the game. It’s not a play you want. I’m pretty sure if that’s the regular season that might even be a suspension. Could have easily broken Rasmus’ arm with the cross-check.”
Even if Zadorov avoided a suspension, it remains to be seen if he’ll be in the lineup for Game 5.
Both Zadorov and Viktor Arvidsson did not skate during Monday’s practice at Warrior Ice Arena, with Marco Sturm noting that both players were held off the ice due to “maintenance”. It’s unclear if they’ll be cleared to play on Tuesday night at KeyBank Center.
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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