Bruins’ Nikita Zadorov defends his hit on Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews that forced early exit

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews left Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to the Boston Bruins with a lower-body injury. The injury came after a hit from Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov in the second period. Matthews did not return for the third period. The 28-year-old has nine goals and 14 points in 17 games this season.

Zadorov spoke after the game and defended his hit on Auston Matthews.

"I didn’t really hit him," Zadorov said. "I hit him with my right shoulder, and 99 percent of my hits in the NHL are with my right shoulder.

"I’m not sure what hit he got hurt [on]. Like, when he came after me again, I counter-hit him, or maybe when I cleared the puck I hit him with the puck, so we’re not going to speculate on that."

Zadorov added that there was no intention to hurt Matthews.

"It was just routine," Zadorov said. "I didn’t really want to hit him. I wanted to prevent him from taking the middle, and I just stood there.

"You can see on the video I hit him with my chest. There was no intention to hurt him. I just play hard against top players on the other team. That’s my job."

Anthony Stolarz started in goal for Toronto but was replaced after giving up three goals on 11 shots. Backup Dennis Hildeby made 19 saves in relief.

The Maple Leafs have an 8-8-1 record and sit sixth in the Atlantic Division. They score 3.65 goals per game but allow 3.82. Now, the potential absence of their 69-goal-scoring captain could impact the team's offense even more.

Craig Berube on referees not calling penalty on Auston Matthews hit

Toronto Leafs coach Craig Berube disagreed with the referees' decision not to call a penalty on Zadorov for the play.

"I think it's a penalty, personally," Berube said about the hit on Matthews. "But I'm not the referee. I don't like it. I don't like the hit. He was in a vulnerable position."

Auston Matthews’ injury is a concern for Toronto, which has won only two of its last five games. His timeline is uncertain, since Berube said there was no update.

"I can't give you a timeline or how serious it is right now," Berube said. "I'm not sure when he hurt it, to be honest with you."

For now, William Nylander and John Tavares will continue to push Toronto's offense in Auston Matthews' absence. Nylander leads the team with 24 points, and Tavares has nine goals.

The Maple Leafs will face the Los Angeles Kings next on Thursday.