Blackhawks Defenseman Vlasic Assails Bruins Forward Mittelstadt
A second-period confrontation between Alex Vlasic and Casey Mittelstadt resulted in misconduct penalties.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Hockey
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vlasic initiated a physical altercation with Boston Bruins forward Casey Mittelstadt behind the play. The scuffle led to penalties for Vlasic and Bruins teammate Nikita Zadorov during the game in Boston.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the physical intensity between the two teams and required officials to intervene to maintain order on the ice. The interaction occurred despite Casey Mittelstadt having no history of professional fighting in the NHL.
Alex Vlasic holds 5 official NHL fights on his career record, and both Vlasic and Nikita Zadorov were assessed 10-minute misconduct penalties for their roles in the altercation.
The players
Alex Vlasic
He is a defenseman for the Chicago Blackhawks who currently has five official NHL fights on his professional record.
Casey Mittelstadt
He is a forward for the Boston Bruins who does not have an official NHL fight on his career record.
Nikita Zadorov
He is a player for the Boston Bruins who was removed from the game by officials after striking Vlasic.
The details
Alex Vlasic delivered a late hit on Casey Mittelstadt before jumping him behind the play and throwing punches while Mittelstadt did not drop his gloves. Nikita Zadorov subsequently intervened by striking Vlasic while he was on the ice, leading to Zadorov being escorted off the playing surface by officials.
Timeline
The physical altercation took place on October 31, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The escalation of physical altercations during regular season play mirrors the NHL's ongoing challenge to manage player safety and bench behavior. This incident forces both teams to adjust their rotation as they contend with potential discipline for the penalized players.
The 10-minute misconduct penalties forced both the Blackhawks and Bruins to adjust their line combinations for the remainder of the second period. The teams maintained 5-on-5 play for the duration of the period despite the off-ice removal of Zadorov.
The takeaway
Players without fighting histories may still find themselves central to on-ice conflicts if a game becomes increasingly physical. Teams often have to rely on their depth players to step up when starters receive misconduct penalties during the middle of a game.
Further reading
For more on the league's latest matchups and disciplinary outcomes, visit Boston Hockey.
