Nikita Zadorov drops Jordan Greenway in the first period.

Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov was out to send a message on Monday night and he did so early by bringing the hurt to a pair of Buffalo Sabres.

A little over midway through the game's first period, Zadorov would deliver a huge open ice hit to Buffalo Sabres star forward Tage Thompson. The hit appeared to come a little late, as Thompson had long since gotten rid of the puck, and it clearly left Thompson in considerable discomfort as he skated back to the Sabres bench while doubled over in pain.

Much to his credit, Sabres veteran forward Jordan Greenway would immediately come to Thompson's defense by challenging Zadorov to drop the gloves. The Bruins defenseman was more than happy to oblige however and it would quickly become apparent that Greenway had bitten off more than he could chew.

Although the early going saw neither man landing much of anything, Zadorov would eventually get loose enough to land a devastating two-hit combination that saw him connect twice with the right hand. Zadorov would first get Greenway to lower his guard by splitting that guard open with an uppercut from underneath, then followed that up with an overhand right that dropped Greenway down to the ice.

A great performance from both men and full credit to Greenway for sticking up for his younger teammate, but there was a clear winner in this one.