Boston Brawlers: Don’t Mess With Bruins Behemoth Nikita Zadorov

The Bruins wanted to get bigger and tougher, and one of their marquee signings showed that this week.

Nikita Zadorov has symbolized the team Boston strives to be. While the blueliner has had issues staying out of the penalty box, he continues to assert himself on the ice.

If you missed out on the last week of Bruins games, you’ve come to the right spot for a recap of the best hits and fights delivered by the Black and Gold. Let’s go chronologically starting with last Saturday’s contest against the Los Angeles Kings.

1. Boom Drop
Boston got off to a tough start in last Saturday’s matinee game. So it was only fitting for Zadorov to help keep the Bruins from falling too far behind with a massive hit on forward Tanner Jeannot.

2. Might As Well Do It Twice
Last Saturday was a day to forget for Jeannot as the Kings forward not only took a hit from Zadorov in the first period but also ate a left hook from the Russian blueliner in the third.

3. Rare Fight
The Bruins faced the Florida Panthers on Monday, the second matchup in six days between the sides. It was as physical as you might imagine. It was so heated that Pavel Zacha dropped the gloves for a rare fight after former B’s forward A.J. Greer tagged David Pastrnak from behind. Pastrnak credited Zacha for stepping up for him and admitted he’d do the same, too.

4. Defending Pasta Times Two
It’s only natural for opposing teams to target the other’s best player, and the Panthers did everything they could to get under Pastrnak’s skin. And when the star Bruins forward got into it with Nate Schmidt over a hit on Sam Reinhart, Brad Marchand swooped in and dropped the gloves.

5. Welcome to the NHL
The Bruins needed to shed away the losses to the Panthers, and they did that Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche. Boston asserted itself, and Zadorov was back in the picture again. The 29-year-old fought Matt Stienburg in the third period. Wednesday was the Colorado forward’s NHL debut, so Zadorov gave him a warm welcome to the league.

6. Don’t Admire Your Passes
Elias Lindholm was called for a five-minute major on a hit on Miles Wood. But replay showed it was a clean hit from the Bruins forward. Wood was caught looking at his pass in Boston’s zone and paid the price.

It was another strong week for Boston, which plays the Utah Hockey Club for the first time Saturday. Make sure to catch all Bruins coverage on NESN so you don’t miss any of the action.