The Bruins faced tough challenges to start the season, and it’s led to multiple players asserting their physicality.
Boston faced the Florida Panthers twice in six days, and it wasn’t able to shake off its undisciplined play against the reigning Stanley Cup champions at TD Garden on Monday.
Florida continued to assert its physicality, including on David Pastrnak, who arguably received a cheap shot from former Bruins forward A.J. Greer. Pavel Zacha certainly didn’t take too kindly to it and quickly dropped the gloves for a rare fight.
“I didn’t see him coming. He was behind,” Pastrnak told reporters of the Greer hit Tuesday, per a team-provided video. “I don’t know if it was a cross-check or just a good push because he was far behind, so I didn’t see it. I didn’t make much of it, but then I saw Pav fight. Good to see but didn’t make much of it.”
Zacha doesn’t have a reputation as a fighter in the NHL — it was just the second fight of his career. While his encounter with Greer was brief, Pastrnak did not miss this gesture.
“He’s a big boy. It’s definitely appreciated to see him,” Pastrnak said. “We always have each other’s back, and we always do that in this room. It’s great to see, and I’m proud of him.”
Pastrnak reiterated that he appreciated his teammate for having his back and made sure he would do the same for him. Brad Marchand also stepped up for the Bruins star for another hit and also didn’t think much of it and instead focused on the lack of effort Boston produced in its losses to the Panthers.
The Bruins head out for a three-game road trip starting with a matchup against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena on Wednesday.