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.

Nikita Zadorov has already faced plenty of discipline on the ice this season and now is receiving more from the league’s Department of Player Safety. The Boston Bruins defenseman was fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA,

The NHL has fined Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin and Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov $5,000 each for their roles in a bench altercation during Friday night’s game 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.

NHL Player Safety has announced that Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov has been fined $5,000, which is the maximum alllowable under the CBA, for unsportsmanlike conduct. Boston’s Nikita Zadorov has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for unsportsmanlike conduct against Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin.

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

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.

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin was fined $5,000 by the NHL for slashing Boston Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei during a game on Friday. The league announced the fine - as well as an identical fine to Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov - on Saturday.