Any questions about the current ferocity of the Bruins-Canadiens were put to rest quickly on Saturday.
Nikita Zadorov and Jayden Struble set the tone for a contentious night as the two defensemen paired off to fight right away.
Zadorov and Struble were clearly planning something before things started, because as soon as the opening puck dropped, so did their gloves.
Zadovrov, who is 6-foot-7, had a big height and reach advantage on Struble, a 6-foot-0, 24-year-old Rhode Island native.
Zadorov got the better of a one-sided skirmish, landing the first four punches, all straight right hands. Struble tried to stay inside to keep Zadorov from extending his arms, but his punch attempts were ineffective, with most hitting Zadorov in the shoulder pads.
At the end of the fight, they appeared to exchange respectful pats on the back.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.