The Pittsburgh Penguins walked away as winners over the Boston Bruins, but not before things got chippy between the two teams. Late in the opening period, Pengu

The Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins were once both the toast of the Eastern Conference, but both franchises have fallen on difficult times of late – especially the Penguins. But that didn’t stop things from getting feisty during Friday night’s 2-1 victory by the Penguins over the Bruins at TD Garden.

With 22 seconds remaining in the period, Boston defenseman Zadorov jabbed Malkin with his stick from the Boston bench. Malkin retaliated with a turning one-handed stick swing, perhaps hitting Zadorov on the helmet.

A controversial incident on Friday night has resulted in disciplinary action against both Evgeni Malkin and Nikita Zadorov.

Insider Elliotte Friedman brought up the idea of the Bruins trading Nikita Zadorov to this rival.

Bruins' change of coach from Jim Montgomery to interim bench boss Joe Sacco leads bruising Zadorov to step up own game and seek the same from teammates.

Nikita Zadorov is embracing the Bruins’ reset. “I thought we were playing soft the first 20 games,” said the big defenseman

Friday's matchup between the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins had plenty of dramatics despite being a modest three-goal event. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety involved itself Saturday.

The penalties at the end of the first period between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins will probably cost at least one player a few dollars after the NHL Department of Player Safety gets a good look.