Nikita Zadorov leaves Bruins hours before matchup in Anaheim

A lot has been said of Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov in recent days, especially after the misinterpretation of his comments towards goalie and teammate Jeremy Swayman after the blowout loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.

However, what was reported on Wednesday ahead of the Bruins’ game against the Ducks in Anaheim isn’t something anyone wanted to hear about the blue liner.

Interim head coach Joe Sacco had to reveal to media after the team’s skate that Zadorov has left the team and has caught a flight back to Boston due to a family matter. Nothing more was said about what might have taken place, though it sounded urgent and serious.

“He won’t be available for tonight’s game. He had to fly back home to Boston today to attend to a family matter. I don’t have any further update as far as when he’ll be back or not but he won’t be available for tonight’s game.”

The Bruins will face the Ducks without Zadorov, who could miss longer depending on what’s going on in his personal life.

The Bruins suffered their sixth-straight loss against Los Angeles and need to bounce back as they currently sit six points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the Eastern Conference’s last wild-card spot with just 10 games remaining to the calendar.

Boston has lost 14 of its last 17 games, and six of eight since the trade deadline when it moved many of its veteran players, including captain Brad Marchand.

Now without Zadorov, I can’t say if the Bruins will be able to handle the Ducks tonight…