Zadorov, Tkachuk Drop Gloves on Opening Faceoff
Nikita Zadorov and Brady Tkachuk fought two seconds into the first period of the Bruins-Panthers game at TD Garden.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Hockey
Nikita Zadorov and Brady Tkachuk dropped their gloves two seconds into the first period on the opening faceoff at TD Garden. Zadorov landed punches and tossed Tkachuk to the ice, and each player drew a five-minute major for fighting.
Why it matters
The fight opened a game between Boston, which entered at 12-4-1 and first in the Atlantic Division, and Florida, which entered at 9-6-2 and fifth. Florida has won the last three meetings between the teams, adding a rivalry edge to the matchup.
Boston entered the game with a five-point division lead at 12-4-1 and 25 points, while Florida sat at 9-6-2 with 20 points. Tkachuk had 10 goals and nine assists in 17 games this season, and Boston had gone 3-6-1 over its previous 10 games.
The players
Nikita Zadorov
Zadorov is a Boston Bruins defenseman with 195 career NHL points who has previously fought Tkachuk at TD Garden.
Brady Tkachuk
Tkachuk is a Florida Panthers forward with 482 career NHL points who was acquired from Ottawa in a June trade.
The details
Zadorov and Tkachuk dropped their gloves two seconds into the first period, with Zadorov landing punches before tossing Tkachuk to the ice as the crowd erupted. Garnet Hathaway and Mark Kastelic fought 21 seconds later, and Elias Lindholm and Michael Eyssimont then scored to put Boston up 2-0.
Timeline
January 23, 2025: Zadorov and Tkachuk previously fought at TD Garden.
April 2: Florida won 2-1 in the last meeting between the teams.
June 21: Florida acquired Brady Tkachuk in a trade with Ottawa.
November 8: Zadorov and Tkachuk fought on the opening faceoff of the Bruins-Panthers game.
Season Trajectory
The game pits Boston, first in the Atlantic Division at 12-4-1, against Florida, fifth at 9-6-2, in a matchup where Florida has won the last three meetings. The early fighting adds heat to a divisional race in which Boston holds a five-point lead.
Fantasy managers rostering Tkachuk, who has 10 goals and nine assists in 17 games, should weigh the physical edge he brings against Boston. The divisional standings gap of five points means the Bruins' results against Florida will affect playoff positioning.
The takeaway
Early physical play can set the tone for a divisional rivalry, but the standings and head-to-head results will ultimately decide how this matchup shapes the Atlantic race.
Further reading
Explore more Hockey coverage for context on Boston's rivalry with Florida.
