Canucks defenceman Nikita Zadorov ejected for boarding Brett Howden

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Nikita Zadorov got himself into some hot water on Tuesday night as they began a three-game road trip against the Vegas Golden Knights.

With less than ten seconds remaining in the first period, Vegas was leading the game 4-1 and Nikita Zadorov hit Golden Knights forward Brett Howden from behind, right on the numbers.

After a small scrum, Zadorov was ushered off to the penalty box, with the officials giving him a five-minute major and a game misconduct for boarding, but decided to review the play. After review, the call on the ice stood, with Zadorov, who's played a big role in the Canucks' top-four defensive group in recent weeks, being kicked out for the remainder of Tuesday's contest.






Zadorov, 28, could be facing supplemental discipline for the second time in as many months, after being suspended for two games in mid-February for a check to the head of Detroit Red Wings forward Lukas Raymond.

It'll be interesting to see if the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety decides to give Nikita Zadorov a hearing for the incident on Tuesday night and if he'll be handed a suspension.