“Soft a** fine” – Fans react as Nikita Zadorov and Evgeni Malkin get fined $5,000 by NHL for poking-slashing incident in Penguins-Bruins game
Nikita Zadorov and Evgeni Malkin have both been fined $5,000 by the NHL DoPS for their actions in the Bruins-Penguins game.
Nikita Zadorov (L) and Evgeni Malkin (R) [Image via Boston Hockey Now/Elite Prospects]
On Friday, the Pittsburgh Penguins walked away as 2-1 winners from a tight game against the Boston Bruins. However, it was not before things got a bit chirpy between Nikita Zadorov and Evgeni Malkin. The two players have been fined $5,000 for their actions in this game.
The incident between the two stars took place in the dying stages of the first period. With the Bruins 1-0 up and time almost running out, Malkin was found standing at the blue line near the Bruins bench.
As he stood there waiting for an opportunity, Zadorov would poke him with his stick from the back. Malkin did not like this and would wildly swing his hockey club at the bench. His attack seemed to have stuck someone on the head.
This action resulted him in sitting in the penalty box. The officials would later review this incident and found Zadorov guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct. Thus he was also ordered to sit in the penalty box.
Zadorov poked Malkin from the bench and Malkin swung back ? pic.twitter.com/9hnxNjt6Bt
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) November 30, 2024
This incident was later reviewed by the NHL Department of Player Safety. The DoPS in two separate tweets would announce that Zadorov and Malkin have both being fined $5,000.
Boston’s Nikita Zadorov has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for unsportsmanlike conduct against Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) November 30, 2024
While Zadorov was fined for the unsportsmanlike conduct, Malkin was later confirmed to have been fined for slashing. This is the maximum allowable fine under the CBA.
Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for slashing Boston’s Mason Lohrei.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) November 30, 2024
The Penguins would later go on to turn around the game. Goals in the second and third period from Rickard Rakell and Philip Tomasino respectively saw them take a 2-1 lead. The Pens held on to this lead and won the game.
Social media reacts to Nikita Zadorov and Evgeni Malkin getting fined instead of suspension
Fans on social media were left stunned when the incident between Nikita Zadorov and Evgeni Malkin took place. Several users on X urged for the ban of both players from the game after the incident first came to light.
The news of the two players getting fined by the NHL does not seem to have impressed the fine. Many of them called out the DoPS for not suspending them with one fan writing, “soft a** fine* while reacting to it.
Check out some of the fan reactions from X below:
Soft ass fine
— David Pastrnak Enjoyer (RIP JOHNNY) (@LoganAlexa28725) November 30, 2024
Joke of a league
— Kuch4MVP (@kuch4mvp) November 30, 2024
Player Safety is a joke.
— Hellhammer (@Hellhammer9999) November 30, 2024
Awesome- no suspension, he helps them fail…
— The End (@Flickster67) November 30, 2024
A real league would suspend both of them.
— MadCityMike ?? ?? (@MikeAdamsWI) November 30, 2024
Stupid lol
— John Armstrong ?? (@JStrong97) November 30, 2024
Should’ve been a major. There was no hockey play involved. He just swung his stick at the head of a player on the bench. You have no credibility if you let him skate on this.
— occamsdeadpedal (@jgriffaz_) November 30, 2024
Assault from outside the playing field should be significantly more of a punishment. He speared him with a stick from the bench. You cant allow that.
— Frederick Goodman (@FreddySGoodman) November 30, 2024
Joke of a league. Have nothing better to do
— (sportsnut72) football & hockey seasons ❄️? (@sportsnut72) November 30, 2024
The Penguins followed this win with another victory. They took down the Calgary Flames 6-2 on Saturday to make it three wins in a row.
As for the Bruins, they will now welcome the Montreal Canadiens in their next game on Sunday. Just like the Bruins, the Habs enter the game with a loss as they lost 4-3 in a fierce game against the New York Rangers on Saturday afternoon.
Vinay Dave
(1766 Articles Published)