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(Photo by Olivia Vanni/Getty Images)

It’s do or die for the Boston Bruins, who were throttled in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series against the Buffalo Sabres, losing a 6-1 decision on home ice at TD Garden.

Understandably, frustrated Bruins fans rained down a chorus of boos upon the players after the abysmal opening 20 minutes of play, during which the Bruins allowed four goals for the first time in a playoff game first period since 1991 against the Hartford Whalers.

And as if that weren’t enough, Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov, who is playing in his second year with Boston, was handed down the maximum punishment by the NHL as allowed by the current collective bargaining agreement.

The NHL Announced A Maximum Fine For Boston Bruins Defenseman Nikita Zadorov

During the third period of Boston’s 6-1 loss to the Sabres at TD Garden, Bruins defenseman cross-checked Sabres defenseman and captain Rasmus Dahlin, and then tried to go after him as the on-ice officials broke up the conflict.

Zadorov’s afternoon was over from that point on, as he was hit with a five-minute major for cross-checking as well as a game misconduct on the play.

And now, the NHL has announced that Zadorov is being fined $5,000 for his actions.

“Boston’s Nikita Zadorov has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for cross-checking Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin,” the NHL’s Department of Player Safety wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

As is customary, the money forfeited by Zadorov will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Following the game, Bruins head coach Marco Sturm said that he didn’t know whether Zadorov would be facing a potential suspension or not.

“I don’t know,” Sturm said. “I can’t answer that. I don’t know. Sorry.”

Meanwhile, Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff, who could potentially be in the discussion for the Jack Adams Trophy as the NHL’s top coach, said that he believes the NHL will hold players to a higher standard.

“I think the message is consistent from them is that they’re going to hold the game to a higher standard,” Ruff said after Game 3.

“I understand the emotion of that because of the way the game went,” Ruff continued. “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.”

Nikita Zadorov Has Run Afoul Of NHL Referees Multiple Times In His Career

Zadorov is no stranger to trouble on the ice, having earned 152 penalty minutes during the 2025-26 NHL regular season, the most of any active player.

Additionally, he was whistled for six majors and four 10-minute misconducts, though wasn’t given a game misconduct during the season.

The next time that Zadorov is whistled for a minor penalty in regular season play, he’ll officially reach the 1,000 penalty minutes mark. He’s appeared in 804 career regular season games, scoring 53 goals with 137 assists.

He’s also added eight goals with 12 assists in 62 career playoff games, with 161 penalty minutes.