Auston Matthews Leaves Game After Horrendous Hit From Zadorov

After playing two games against the Boston Bruins in such a short span, the dirty hits from Nikita Zadorov don't seem to be stopping anytime soon.

But instead of the Maple Leafs' fourth-line centre Scott Laughton going down, it's their captain, Auston Matthews, who's been hurt this time.

It's disheartening for Leafs Nation when the team has more of a response for a Scott Laughton hit than they do for their franchise cornerstone and captain.

Zadorov is known for this style of play, and it's surprising to see a team that was expected to be a tougher out, especially under Craig Berube, show no real response.

While the league's Department of Player Safety did not slap Zadorov with any supplemental discipline for his head shot on Laughton, they will almost certainly have to take a look at the hit from behind on Matthews.

In the past, we have seen similar hits result in suspensions, so with that precedent having been set, if the DOPS does not announce a hearing for the hulking Bruins defenseman, it will be yet another example of the league giving teams preferential treatment when they play the Maple Leafs.