The Boston Bruins lead the league with 40 (!!) minor penalties by means of seven video games.
Defenseman Nikita Zadorov is the Bruins’ greatest offender, having dedicated at the very least one penalty in every of Boston’s video games this season.
“Nicely, I acquired seven in a row. I don’t know what to say,” Zadorov informed reporters following the Bruins shutout loss to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, as seen on NESN’s postgame protection. “I imply, it’s on me. Actually, I acquired to be higher.”
Zadorov was introduced in throughout the offseason so as to add a component of snarl to the Bruins. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 248 kilos, Zadorov has a bruising model that has already made its mark within the lineup. Nevertheless, taking part in with that edge has put the defensive behemoth within the sin bin for 21 minutes throughout seven video games.
“These penalties, generally they occur,” Zadorov stated. “Attempt to save a play, attempt to make a tough play, turnover. You don’t need the puck to go in your internet; you’ve acquired to forestall it, you’re going to take a penalty. That’s what occurred (in opposition to the Predators), for me at the very least.”
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For a franchise that has constructed an identification as a group that’s arduous to play in opposition to, Zadorov is the excellent match. His capacity to neutralize gamers within the entrance of the web ought to finally outweigh the variety of penalties he’s taken. He simply has to search out his groove throughout the Bruins’ system.
The Bruins’ lack of self-discipline in opposition to the Nashville Predators, with six penalties within the sport, led to a 4-0 shutout loss on Tuesday night time.
“Some guys had been sitting for 10 minutes (due to the penalties),” Zadorov stated. “They’re not getting their shifts and shedding their legs. It takes away the momentum of the sport and offers the opposite group the momentum.”
The Predators capitalized on the Bruins’ miscues with one power-play aim and a second as time expired on a double-minor high-sticking penalty to Charlie McAvoy within the second interval.
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