Bruins Defenseman Calls Out Jeremy Swayman After Attempted Goalie Fight

It's dark times for the Boston Bruins, who sold house at the trade deadline and are now on a six-game losing streak.

The Bruins lost to the Los Angeles Kings 7-1 on Sunday and frustrations started to brim.

In the second period, Bruins forward Marat Khusnutdinov got into a scuff with Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper. Kuemper jabbed Khusnutdinov with his blocker and proceeded to put Khusnutdinov in a headlock.

This prompted Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman, who finished the game with seven goals against and a .696 save percentage, to skate to the red line and challenge Kuemper to a goalie fight.

Kuemper obliged, and Swayman removed his gloved and mask, but the officials restrained both goaltenders.

When The Athletic's Fluto Shinzawa asked Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov-a seasoned fighter in the NHL-about his appreciation for Swayman's support, he shut it down.

"Is that what it is?" Zadorov said.

"Looked like it," Shinzawa replied.

"OK," Zadorov said. "I don't know. No comment."

Zadorov didn't hold back his thoughts on the goaltending either.

"Everything goes in," Zadorov said. "It's embarrassing, obviously. How many times we get beat by these teams scoring six goals, seven goals on us this year? It's definitely unacceptable. It's not what we're looking for. Not much to say after this one, for sure."

Sunday marked the fourth consecutive start where Swayman failed to achieve a save percentage above .900.

The Bruins trailed 3-2 when Swayman challenged Kuemper. Drew Doughty put the Kings ahead with a slap shot following Swayman's loose rebound before Los Angeles sealed the lead with 2:22 left in the middle frame.