Boston Bruins defenceman Nikita Zadorov was given the maximum allowable fine of $5,000 for cross-checking Buffalo Sabres defenceman Rasmus Dahlin in Game 4 of their first-round series, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced Monday.
Boston’s Nikita Zadorov has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for cross-checking Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 27, 2026
The play took place in the third period of Sunday’s game, which the Sabres won 6-1.
With Buffalo leading 6-0 at the time, and play whistled dead after an offsides call, Zadorov skated up to Dahlin at centre ice and gave him a cross-check from behind, then swung at the Sabres star before referees intervened to break it up.
Zadorov was immediately given a five-minute major for cross-checking and received a game misconduct on the play. Roughing penalties on both sides were handed out in the ensuing scrum as the game got a little out of hand.
The play was Zadorov’s second penalty of the game, after the veteran was whistled for holding in the second period.
Buffalo took immediate control of the game with a four-goal outburst in the first period, and cruised to the victory that gave them a firm 3-1 lead in the series.
Game 5 of the series goes Tuesday from KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
