‘It means you’re doing something right’: Bruins’ Zadorov on getting booed in Buffalo

One of the more brute forces in the NHL is hearing it from the fans, but that doesn’t seem to bother him so much.

When speaking to the media on Thursday, Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov was asked about the displeasure Buffalo Sabres fans showed him during Game 5 of the Atlantic Division Semifinal on Tuesday night, booing him every time he was on or around the puck.

Zadorov sort of shrugged off the question, noting that it comes with the territory of being tough on the opposition.

“There’s probably like five rinks in the league that boo me every time I touch the puck,” Zadorov said. “It’s nothing new for me. When I played [against the Edmonton Oilers], they did the same thing. I mean, it’s fun. It means you’re doing something that people hate…That’s my job, I guess.”

While Zadorov wasn’t loved by the Oilers faithful when he was a member of the Calgary Flames, he was earned the ire of Sabres fans thanks to what happened earlier in the series. In Game 4 in Boston, Zadorov was ejected late in regulation after cross-checking Buffalo captain Rasmus Dahlin in the face. It led to the big Russian blueliner being fined $5,000 by the NHL Department of Player Safety, though many from around the game felt like his careless actions warranted a suspension.

Zadorov has earned the reputation of being a player who pushes the boundaries, having crossed it a number of times in his career.

Game 6 between the Bruins and Sabres is scheduled for Friday night in Boston, with puck drop set for a little after 7:30 p.m. ET.