B/R Open Ice just flagged that Brady Tkachuk dropped the gloves with Zadorov off the opening draw as the Panthers visit Boston.
The fight came this afternoon, with Florida still playing as we write. The game is in the second period, and we are not going to guess at the score.
B/R Open Ice put it bluntly, saying Tkachuk dropped him off the opening draw.
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A fight at the first faceoff is a decision made before the game even starts. Nobody wanders into that one.
Tkachuk arrives in Boston on the back of a night where he did plenty of damage the other way. He scored twice in Saturday's 3-4 loss at Washington and put seven shots on goal, but the Panthers still left with nothing.
Florida is 9-6-2 and sits fifth in the Atlantic Division, so there is no cushion to play with. A team coming off a loss that wants to set a tone has few quicker ways to do it.
For those who missed it, Brady Tkachuk's heated moment with Dillon Boucher was a talking point earlier this week. Tkachuk never needs much invitation to bring the edge.
Does a puck-drop fight help the Panthers?
It depends on what happens next. Tkachuk has 10 goals and 4 power-play goals this season, and that production is why Florida can't afford to lose him to the box on a regular basis.
A fight at the opening draw is a statement, and Tkachuk is built to deliver it. But the Panthers don't need a statement as badly as they need him scoring, and he already has 19 penalty minutes through 17 games.
His brother Matthew has been part of the noise too. We also covered Matthew Tkachuk's comments on the Senators after Brady's return to Ottawa became a storyline.
Florida plays at Columbus on Tuesday. If this afternoon's energy carries over, the Panthers will need it, and so will their captain's power-play numbers.
Quick hits
SEATTLE KRAKEN: The Coachella Valley Firebirds announced that the Kraken have recalled forward Logan Morrison, with the team already in Helsinki. That is a late-arriving piece for a long trip.
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WASHINGTON CAPITALS: Elliotte Friedman reported that the Capitals have placed Remi Poirier on waivers, as relayed by Sammi Silber. A 25-year-old goalie is now available to the whole league.
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CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS: Vinnie Parise confirmed that the Blackhawks have placed goalie Arvid Soderblom on waivers after a 9-2 loss. Rough day for the crease in Chicago.
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LOS ANGELES KINGS: Beat writer mayorNHL reported that the Kings are sending forward Martin Chromiak back to AHL Ontario. A routine shuffle, but worth watching for who replaces him.
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DALLAS STARS: Friedman also reported that Soderblom and Poirier are on waivers, a wire Stars fans will watch. Goalie depth is always worth a look at this time of year.
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Was fighting at the opening draw the right move for Brady Tkachuk with the Panthers coming off a loss?
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