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Vancouver Canucks defenceman Nikita Zadorov has been fined by the NHL for his involvement in a scrum after last night’s Game 3.
The whole thing starts when Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid slashes Canucks defenceman Carson Soucy.
Zadorov then hit Connor with a cross-check in the back after the final horn had already gone. The impact caused McDavid to crumple. The Oilers star then took another cross check, this time in the face, from Soucy as he was falling.
A scrum ensues after the final horn. pic.twitter.com/Jxf59Jphif
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 13, 2024
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety fined Zadorov $5,000, the maximum allowable in this situation, for the cross-check.
Vancouver’s Nikita Zadorov has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for cross-checking Edmonton’s Connor McDavid.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) May 13, 2024
Soucy’s punishment has yet to be determined but the defenceman has a hearing with the league scheduled. It does not appear as if Soucy intended to connect with McDavid’s face and instead did so because of the impact from Zadorov’s cross-check.
Zadorov has been one of the Canucks best defencemen during the postseason. He leads all NHL blueliners in playoff goals and has seven points in nine games.
The 6-foot-6 player has been involved with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety in the past. He was suspended two games earlier this year for a hit on Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond.
The money forfeited in fines league-wide goes towards the NHL Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
The Canucks claimed a 2-1 series lead last night with a 4-3 victory in Edmonton. Game 4 of the series takes place tomorrow night at 6:30 pm PT/7:30 pm MT.
More to come…