Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin, Bruins’ Nikita Zadorov fined $5,000 for actions

A couple of players are reaching into their pockets after getting into an altercation on Friday.

On Saturday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin has been fined $5,000 for slashing, while Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov has also been given a $5,000 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The incident happened late in the first period of the matchup between the two teams. While sitting on the bench, Zadorov was seen poking Malkin, who was on the ice at the time. Malkin then retaliated by turning and slashing Zadorov.

Malkin was given a minor penalty for slashing, while Zadorov received a two-minute penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The fines are the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

This is not the first time either player has received supplemental discipline in their careers. In April 2022, Malkin was suspended for four games for cross-checking Nashville Predators defenseman Mark Borowiecki. In 2019, he was handed a one-game suspension for a stick-swinging incident involving Michael Raffl of the Philadelphia Flyers. The Russian star has been suspended two other times for stick infractions.

Last season, Zadorov, then a member of the Vancouver Canucks, was suspended two games for an illegal check to the head on Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond. During the Canucks’ second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers, Zadorov was fined $5,000 for cross-checking Connor McDavid.

Through 25 games, Malkin has scored five goals and 17 assists for 22 points. Zadorov has also appeared 25 games this year, potting a goal and six assists for seven points with his new team.

The Penguins (9-12-4) are tied for last in the Metropolitan Division with the New York Islanders. The Bruins (11-11-3) are fourth in the Atlantic, five points behind the first-place Florida Panthers.