Nikita Zadorov spent some of the NHL’s recent break in South Florida.
And he got heated.
It had nothing to do with the warmth or humidity, however. It was the frenzied fisticuffs of the 4 Nations Face-Off that got Boston’s big defenseman hot and bothered.
Specifically, it was the electrifying start to the first United States-Canada matchup featuring three fights — Matthew Tkachuk–Brandon Hagel, Brady Tkachuk–Sam Bennett, and J.T. Miller–Colton Parayko — that got Zadorov emotional.
“I was sitting at the restaurant in Miami, and I was watching on my phone and after the third fight, after Millsy’s fight, I had goosebumps, and I had tears in my eyes. I was ready to go through the wall in the restaurant. That’s how pumped up I was. It got me pumped up. It was cool,’’ said Zadorov following Saturday’s morning skate before the Bruins lost to the Ducks in overtime, 3-2, at TD Garden. “I mean that’s what hockey is about, guys fighting each other, fighting for the flag, fighting for their country. It’s great to watch. I mean obviously it’s different feelings when you play for your country outside of the club and I will never forget my times playing for my national team. It’s been one of the best times in my life for sure.’’
Zadorov, who took in the championship game with some fellow Bruins at TD Garden Thursday night, said he “loved,’’ the tournament.
“I watch every game. I think it was an unbelievable job by the NHL [and] NHLPA. I think they picked the right time,’’ he said. “That Saturday [US-Canada] game was probably the best hockey I ever watched in my life. Obviously not just because of the fights, the quality of the hockey, the stakes, the positioning, the best on best. It’s fun.’’
He would like to see one change the next time best-on-best hockey plays out next February at the Olympics in Italy.
“Obviously, just we need to bring Russia back up there and then have those three teams compete and we’ll see who’s best at it next time,’’ Zadorov said with a smile.
Lohrei on top unit
With Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm out, Zadorov saw time as the quarterback on the Bruins second-power play unit. Mason Lohrei ran the top unit despite missing the morning skate because he was under the weather.
“I was drafted as a power-play guy,’’ Zadorov said matter-of-factly. “I’m ready whenever they need me. It’s exciting. It’s a new challenge for sure.’’
Zadorov’s minutes and role likely will increase with the blue-line corps thinned by the injuries.
“Somebody on the back end has to step up and fill those minutes and roles. Obviously, we have no time to get going. We have to be ready to play right away. We’ve got 25 games left. There’s a lot of teams fighting for playoff position in our conference. Every game is a playoff game for us,’’ said Zadorov.
With such a compact schedule and crowded playoff race, players can sometimes put extra pressure on themselves to perform.
“I love pressure. I’m enjoying it,’’ he said. “I can play 30 minutes, I can play 20 minutes, whatever they want from me. You go out there, you enjoy the game, you enjoy the challenge. You can’t be afraid; you can’t be nervous. Yeah, you can be nervous before the game but then you go out there and compete and enjoy the game, for sure.’’
Lohrei assisted on both Bruins goals, the first of which came on the man advantage.
Back in action
Captain Brad Marchand (Canada) and goalie Jeremy Swayman (USA) jumped right back into action after participating in the 4 Nations Face-Off . . . Bruins general manager Don Sweeney will meet the media Sunday. The status of McAvoy and Lindholm, the 4 Nations Face-Off, and the trade deadline (March 7) are expected topics . . . Charlie Coyle wore an “A’’ with McAvoy out . . . Riley Tufte saw action on the fourth line at left wing in place of Cole Koepke. Tufte last played with the varsity on Nov. 16. He has no points in three games with Boston but has clicked for 15 goals and 28 points in 40 games with Providence . . . Oliver Wahlstrom and Jordan Oesterle were also healthy scratches for Boston . . . Bruins interim coach Joe Sacco played five seasons for Anaheim. He scored 62 goals and 130 points in 333 games for the franchise then known as the Mighty Ducks . . . Ex-Bruin Frank Vatrano scored and leads the Ducks with 17 goals . . . Song of the night: “Baker Street’’ by Gerry Rafferty.
Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him @globejimmcbride.
