Bruins Coach Calls Out Nikita Zadorov's Behavior After Maple Leafs Game

Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

Bruins Coach Calls Out Nikita Zadorov's Behavior After Maple Leafs Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Nov 12, 2025 9:51 AM ET

Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov was at the center of multiple key moments in Tuesday’s win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, including a second-period hit that knocked Toronto's Auston Matthews out of the game, as well as a late fight.

Zadorov’s check sent Matthews into the boards and forced the Maple Leafs captain to exit with a lower-body injury.

The Bruins held on for a 5–3 win, but Zadorov drew scrutiny again in the third period when he finally decided to enter a scuffle after refusing to do so following the hit on Matthews.

With Boston up by two goals, Zadorov dropped Toronto forward Sammy Blais following a knee-on-knee hit on Charlie McAvoy. Both players were penalized, and the incident created a four-on-four situation.

Auston Matthews went to the locker room after taking a hit by Nikita Zadorov. pic.twitter.com/zIeg8e3E6y
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 12, 2025

“We just have to stay calm there in that situation,” Bruins coach Marco Sturm said postgame. “We didn’t want to give them a four-on-four or take a penalty because of their speed and skill.”

Asked directly about whether he liked Zadorov’s choice to retaliate on that McAvoy hit, Sturm had a bit of a mixed answer.

“Yes and no,” Sturm said. “I’ve got to talk to him about it. The timing, I probably wouldn’t agree on that one.”

Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov (91) warms up before a game at T-Mobile Arena.Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Zadorov explained after the game that he reacted when he saw the delayed penalty against Blais.

“My partner [McAvoy]. One of our best players," Zadorov said. “I saw the penalty go up. So we would take four-on-four there any day.”

Despite the physical edge Zadorov brings to the Bruins' play, Sturm emphasized that composure is non-negotiable and could hurt the team in similar situations.

“Those two were going at it the whole game. Not physically, but chirping-wise,” Sturm said. “We’ve got to understand the flow of the game.”

The Bruins' win on Tuesday moved them to 11-7-0 as they wait for their next matchup, scheduled for Thursday against the Ottawa Senators.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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