Craig Berube reacts to Nikita Zadorov's hit on Auston Matthews: 'I don't like the hit'
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Craig Berube spoke openly about the play involving Auston Matthews, voicing concern over the lack of a penalty.
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews left the Leafs game Tuesday against the Boston Bruins with a lower-body injury.
Matthews left midway into the second period after taking a hit along the boards from Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov, although it's unclear if the hit was the reason for his departure.
Matthews, who was playing the puck directing his attention one end, did not see Zadorov coming from his side, with Zadorov unable to slow down and prevent himself from colliding with Matthews.
Along with Matthews, Toronto also lost starting netminder Anthony Stolarz with an upper-body injury in the first period against Boston.
What Craig Berube said about the hit on Auston Matthews
Leafs head coach Craig Berube expressed dissatisfaction with the hit on Matthews, saying that the play should have warranted a penalty on Zadorov.
Berube said that Matthews, being as he viewed as in a "vulnerable position", would not have been able to avoid contact, saying that he "didn't like the hit" from Zadorov.
Berube says he doesn't have an update on Matthews, or Stolarz, but that new information could come as soon as tomorrow ahead of the Leafs next game Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings.
Matthews, who has nine goals and 14 points in 17 games, is not known the severity of his injury according to Berube, or what specifically did cause the injury, if it was from the Zadorov incident or not.
Zadorov said after the game that he had no intent to potentially injure Matthews, calling it a normal play that he has done regularly.
This is the second major hit involving Nikita Zadorov this season, in Saturday's game between Toronto and Boston colliding with Leafs forward Scott Laughton, who like Matthews had left afterwards and did not return.
Whether the league could review the hit after Berube's comments
The league could review the Zadorov incident with Matthews, and if so would determine if the play was enough to warrant for Zadorov a suspension or fine.
For the league, they would also have to look into whether or not Matthews was injured by the Zadorov hit. It wouldn't be the main factor in a suspension, but to assess the potential severity of punishment.
Zadorov has only been suspended once, a two-game suspension in 2024 for an illegal check to the head of Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond.
For Matthews, tomorrow will provide clarity on his status, and likely an update from Craig Berube on if Matthews is going to miss time or not.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 12 | 1630 ANSWERS Craig Berube reacts to Nikita Zadorov's hit on Auston Matthews: 'I don't like the hit' Should Nikita Zadorov be suspended for the hit on Auston Matthews? | ||
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