How Bruins’ Nikita Zadorov Addressed Spat With Penguins Star

BOSTON — Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov had done a better job as of late of staying out of the penalty box.

Zadorov went through a recent stretch in which he didn’t commit a penalty in five straight games. But Zadorov found a way in Boston’s 2-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday at TD Garden to get called for an infraction when he wasn’t even on the ice.

The imposing 6-foot-6, 248-pound Russia native sat on the bench and used his stick to poke Penguins star Evgeni Malkin in the back in the final minute of the first period while play was ongoing. Malkin retaliated by swinging his stick at the Bruins bench and he connected with one of Zadorov’s teammates.

Malkin, who also hails from Russia, got sent to the penalty box and after video review, the officials handed out an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to Zadorov.

Zadorov was asked about the interaction following the game and if he had any history with Malkin, but he didn’t want to get into it.

“We’re old friends, yeah sure,” Zadorov said. “I’m not going to say more about that.”

Zadorov said Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco didn’t discuss the penalty with him. But it’s clear Sacco wasn’t thrilled with Zadorov’s decision-making in that situation.

“We don’t need that penalty there,” Sacco said.

It’s unclear if there is truly any bad blood between Zadorov, who took a big hit from Ryan Shea early in the contest, and Malkin. Malkin is nine years Zadorov’s senior, but the two have continually crossed paths in the NHL playing 19 and 13 seasons, respectively.

Zadorov’s penalty could have caused a 5-on-3 scenario for the Bruins if Malkin hadn’t responded since Tyler Johnson already was headed to the box for a trip. It was also Zadorov’s 18th penalty of the season — tied for the league lead — and it will probably be unlike any other infraction he picks up for the rest of the campaign.