Watch: Penguins Zucker Pounds Studenik, Then Fights Merkley

Jason Zucker was a driving force of the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 win over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday afternoon. Zucker set up the first Penguins goal, led the team with six shots and after the third period he led the team with five penalty minutes on Saturday, too.

Late in the third period, Zucker picked his spot and thumped New Jersey right winger Marian Studenic with a jarring open-ice hit. Before Zucker got up, he was challenged.

Here’s the reverse angle and slo-mo hit.

As the Penguins winger hopped to his feet, his gloves were already coming off as he and New Jersey forward Nick Merkley squared off.

PHN reporter Dan Kingerski says the fight was a good bit longer than what the cameras caught and Zucker planted a couple of good shots on Merkley.

According to HockeyFights.com, this was Zucker’s third career NHL fight. While a member of the Minnesota Wild in Feb. 2020, he fought Jake Virtanen. His first career fight was against Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Simon Despres back in 2014.

This season Jason Zucker has 13 points (7g, 6a) in 30 games.