NHL slaps Bruins’ Nikita Zadorov with discipline for punch in win over Blackhawks

The NHL Department of Player Safety fined Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov $5,000, the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement, following an incident during Saturday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks. During the second period of Boston's 5-4 overtime victory, Zadorov intervened after Alex Vlasic knocked down Casey Mittelstadt, ultimately punching Vlasic while he was down on the ice. Both players received double-minor penalties for roughing, and Zadorov was assessed a 10-minute misconduct.

Zadorov avoided a suspension despite calls from some Chicago fans for further discipline. Boston went on to mount a late two-goal comeback to force overtime through goals from Mason Lohrei and Morgan Geekie, before Elias Lindholm secured the win for the Bruins with an overtime goal.