Boston Bruins
Nikita Zadorov Buries Top Pick Matthew Schaefer, Then Islanders Fans Online
Nikita Zadorov is not a man you want to mess with, whether that be on the ice or on social media.
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer learned that the hard way Thursday night after the Boston Bruins big man flattened him at UBS Arena, and so too did Islanders fans who flooded Zadorov’s direct messages on Instagram afterward in defense of the No. 1 overall pick.
It was about halfway through the second period with the Islanders leading the Bruins 1-0 that Zadorov finished a check on Schaefer by hammering him hard into the boards. As Schaefer got up, he continued to hold onto Zadorov’s stick. In response, Zadorov shoved him back down onto the ice.
A melee broke out as soon as Zadorov laid his hands on Schaefer, with a swarm by blue and orange jerseys rushing to the rookie’s aid. Zadorov was given a minor penalty for interference on the play, as well as a double minor for roughing.
ZADOROV GOES AFTER SCHAEFER AND CHAOS ENSUES pic.twitter.com/fgR7ToRdOj
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) November 5, 2025
“I looked at my PIMs from last year,” Zadorov jokingly said of the incident to reporters on Long Island afterward. “I need to get them up this year.”
The Islanders didn’t find it all that funny.
“I just saw Big Z towering over him,” said Islanders forward Anthony Duclair. “Obviously, you want to protect your teammates, especially Schaef. We have each other’s backs in this locker room. We’re all brothers in here, and we’re going to do whatever it takes to protect each other.”
Islanders fans weren’t amused, either, as many messaged Zadorov directly on Instagram to voice their displeasure. However, it appears those online made a lot more noise than those who were actually in attendance at the game.
“Get out of my DMs And got to the Rink To cheer for your team,” Zadorov wrote in a post on his Instagram story. “THAT PLACE WAS A LIBRARY TONIGHT!!!”
Nikita Zadorov via instagram:
“Get out of my DMs And go to the Rink To cheer for your team THAT PLACE WAS LIBRARY TONIGHT!!!” pic.twitter.com/0l2XUjCyPM
— Robert Chalmers (@IvanIvanlvan) November 5, 2025
According to the NHL, there were 15,585 fans inside the arena.
Nevertheless, it was Zadorov and the Bruins had the last laugh, as they walked away with two points in a 4-3 shootout victory for their fourth win in a row.
“We’re a big, physical team that needs to create our own energy,” said Zadorov. “The crowd was sleeping today, a little bit, so I feel like we had to go out there and create our energy, get everybody going on the bench, and get excited. I thought we did a good job of it for. We stuck with it for 65 minutes and the shootout, and got a big two points.”
Cable
November 5, 2025 at 6:50 am
Good game and like the steady pressure… Want to see the Bruins clean up the hooking.. holding.. interference calls against them in which they lead the league in …Good PP teams would take advantage… where’s ML been if he’s not going to be a part of the D he needs to play in Providence not sit in press box
Mrbruin4
November 5, 2025 at 10:25 am
Can’t send him to Ahl he would need to clear waivers and that wouldn’t happen
Cable
November 5, 2025 at 10:34 am
Well that isn’t good .. so he sits .. package him and Lysell for a Dman who plays both ends
Rick W Murray
November 5, 2025 at 8:41 am
Even I’m surprised Sturms defensive system is working.Im still going with the bruins finishing last they just don’t have horses to finish the race. This was the first time I’ve ever seen Shaefer in action, Wow the speed, and Hockey IQ is incredible no wonder he made the team for my money he was the best player on the ice,
Joe
November 5, 2025 at 10:38 am
Shaefer.. good player and will absolutely get better .. needs to pack some muscle on ..
Cable
November 5, 2025 at 10:44 am
Thinking Out loud … wonder if the Flames would be interested in moving Rasmus Andersson pending UFA after season
Bobby
November 7, 2025 at 1:30 pm
Schafer Talent comes from his speed on the ice,and his young age.When Zadorov laid him out, yelling at the TV telling Schaefer to stay down! Lol poor kid would of had his brains knocked back to preschool
Geoff Ash
November 5, 2025 at 10:57 am
For once I agree with Mr Murray this Schafer kid at 18 years old to me was the best player on the ice. I think he’s gonna force himself into the conversation of do they put him on team Canada the way he’s playing gonna be tough to not consider him. The Isles lucked out and got a legit true number 1 D man. Can be elite on both sides of the puck I give this kid 3-4 years and he’s winning a Norris trophy I’m a huge fan his upside is off the charts. I’m not jealous at all lol