The NHL has fined Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin and Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov $5,000 each for their roles in a bench altercation during Friday night’s game at TD Garden.

The Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins were once both the toast of the Eastern Conference, but both franchises have fallen on difficult times of late – especially the Penguins. But that didn’t stop things from getting feisty during Friday night’s 2-1 victory by the Penguins over the Bruins at TD Garden.

With 22 seconds remaining in the period, Boston defenseman Zadorov jabbed Malkin with his stick from the Boston bench. Malkin retaliated with a turning one-handed stick swing, perhaps hitting Zadorov on the helmet.

Nikita Zadorov has already faced plenty of discipline on the ice this season and now is receiving more from the league’s Department of Player Safety. The Boston Bruins defenseman was fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA,

The penalties at the end of the first period between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins will probably cost at least one player a few dollars after the NHL Department of Player Safety gets a good look.