Bruins’ Zadorov fined for cross-checking Sabres’ Dahlin
The first-round playoff series between the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins is receiving its first bit of supplemental discipline from the league.
The NHL Department of Player Safety announced on Monday that Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov will be fined $5,000, the maximum allowable fine under the the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA), for his cross-check on Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin during the third period of Sunday’s 6-1 Buffalo win.
Boston’s Nikita Zadorov has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for cross-checking Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin.
The incident, which occured during a stoppage in play, saw Zadorov approach Dahlin and deliver an unprovoked cross-check across his right arm, followed by a punch to Dahlin’s face with his gloved right hand, before an official came in to pull Zadorov away.
Zadorov goes after Dahlin well after the play #LetsGoBuffalo #NHLBruins
Zadorov, 31, is no stranger to the NHL Department of Player Safety. In February of 2024, while playing for the Vancouver Canucks, he was suspended for two games for an illegal check to the head of Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond. He has also received $5,000 fines twice before in his career.
The Moscow, Russia native has no goals and an assist over the first four games of this series, while averaging just over 18 minutes of ice time. In 81 games this regular season, he notched two goals and 20 assists for 22 points, while leading the NHL with 152 penalty minutes. He is in the second season of a six-year, $30 million contract with the Bruins.
Dahlin, 26, continues to have a knack for getting under his opponents’ skin to the point where they lash out at him. Just this season, he has been the recipient of a slash to the head by Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin, and jumpings by Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel and Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand.
The Sabres, who are up 3-1 in the series, will look to end the Bruins’ season at home in Tuesday’s Game 5.