Canucks’ Nikita Zadorov fined $5K for cross-checking Oilers’ Connor McDavid

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Nikita Zadorov was fined $5,000 for cross-checking Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid, the NHL’s department of player safety announced Monday.

The fine is the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement.

The incident occurred at the end of the Canucks’ 4-3 victory during Game 3 of their second-round series Sunday night in Edmonton.

As McDavid was involved in a scrum with Canucks defenceman Carson Soucy, Zadorov cross-checked the Oilers captain from behind. Soucy was also delivering a cross-check and caught McDavid in the face as he fell.

Soucy is expected to have a hearing for his role.

Zadorov has four goals and three assists in nine playoff games with the Canucks.

The 29-year-old also had five goals and nine assists in 54 games during the regular season after he was acquired from the Calgary Flames on Nov. 30.

The Canucks hold a 2-1 lead in the series with Game 4 set for Tuesday.