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Bruins’ Nikita Zadorov not at all pleased after being benched vs. Kings
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- Bruins’ Nikita Zadorov not at all pleased after being benched vs. Kings
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Nikita Zadorov has led the National Hockey League in penalty minutes in each of the last two seasons — and his discipline cost the Boston Bruins defenseman a spot in the lineup over the weekend.
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Zadorov took three penalties in Friday night's 4-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Despite the win, head coach Marco Sturm made his most imposing blueliner a healthy scratch for Saturday's 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.
Speaking to Jim McBride of the Boston Globe on Monday, the 31-year-old said the decision left him feeling "disappointed" and "disgusted."
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Still, the hulking Russian defended the physical, emotional style that has defined his NHL career.
"Listen, we are Boston Bruins, and we play that brand of hockey, and I'm fitting this brand really well. And I believe it fits me pretty well, as well," Zadorov said. "And I've been playing my whole life that way. I'm a big, physical D. I'm an emotional person on and off the ice, and I'm emotionally invested on and off the ice. So, when I go out there, I will die for any of my teammates and this logo that's on my chest.
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"That's what I play for, I play for the pride. So, when I go out there, I'll leave everything on the ice."
Zadorov has already accumulated 29 penalty minutes in eight games this season, although he's also contributed three assists and a plus-one rating.
The former first-round pick has missed only three games as a Bruin since signing a six-year, $30 million contract with Boston in July 2024. Boston has a plus-20 goal differential with him on the ice during his tenure, underscoring the impact he can have when available.
Despite the lineup shakeup, it's been a terrific start in Beantown. The Bruins are 7-2-0 and in first place in the Atlantic Division, riding a five-game winning streak.
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Their last three victories have come on the road, with Boston defeating the San Jose Sharks, Ducks and Kings, in that order, during a sweep through California.
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The four-game road trip concludes in Dallas on Tuesday night against the 4-3-1 Stars. Zadorov could return to the lineup, although Sturm had not confirmed that decision.
Puck drops at American Airlines Center just past 8 p.m. ET.
