The Boston Bruins find themselves down 2-0 in their first-round NHL Playoffs matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes, having failed to steal a win on the road. Tensions have flared in each of the first two games of the series, particularly so in Wednesday night's battle. Bruins star Brad Marchand has been slapped with a $5,000 fine, the maximum allowed under the league's CBA, for slashing Pyotr Kochetkov in Wednesday's loss, according to NHL Player Safety.
Boston’s Brad Marchand has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for Slashing Carolina’s Pyotr Kochetkov.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) May 5, 2022
Marchand let his emotions get the best of him after he and the Canes' young goalie exchanged some shoves during the game. After the two pushed one another, Marchand aggressively slashed the goaltender across the body, resulting in the $5,000 fine.
Earlier in the game, Bruins star David Pastrnak was assessed a two-minute minor for a dirty hit on Carolina's starting goalie, Antti Raanta. Raanta was bloodied up in the incident and was forced to leave the game. He did not return. In his stead, the Canes trotted out the 22-year-old Kochetkov for what was his first career playoff appearance. He was sensational for Carolina, gobbling up loose pucks with ease and reducing the Bruins' second chance opportunities. On the night, Kochetkov only surrendered 2 goals on 32 shots on target.
Marchand is coming off an excellent season in Boston. He scored 80 points across 70 games, having tallied 32 goals and 48 assists. He's registered just one point through the first two games of the series against Carolina, assisting one of Patrice Bergeron's two goals in Game 2. Marchand is known to have a bit of a short fuse, and that was on full display against the Canes in Wednesday's loss.
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