Watch: Adam McQuaid Beats Derek Grant In Fight In Bruins’ 2-1 Loss To Predators

Adam McQuaid is one of the most vicious fighters in the NHL, and the Boston Bruins (22-18-5). defenseman reminded the crowd at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena of this on Thursday.

Watch: Adam McQuaid Beats Derek Grant In Fight In Bruins’ 2-1 Loss To Predators

Shortly after McQuaid hit a Predators player hard along the boards early in the second period, center Derek Grant, who was playing his first game with Nashville, met him at mid-ice and the pair dropped their gloves for a quarrel.

McQuaid dominated the fight, landing one strong blow after another, before his final uppercut jab brought Grant to his knees and the officials called the bout over. Grant left the game after the fight.

The Predators (19-16-7) ultimately won the game, however, 2-1 thanks to goals from Austin Watson (unassisted) at 1:02 of the second, and Filip Forsberg at 17:36 of the second.

Nashville goalkeeper Juuse Saros made 35 saves.

Watson gave the Preds a 1-0 lead on a shot from the slot. Forward Colton Sissons forced a turnover from Bruins defenseman Torey Krug, and Watson beat goalie Zane McIntyre for his fourth goal of the season and third in the last three games.

“Going down to the wire like that, it shows our character,” Watson said. “It shows our will to win and our want to get out of this funk that we’re kind of in with the win, loss back and forth kind of thing. We want to come out of that, and we’re working for it right now.”

Krug tied the game 1-1 at 8:08 of the second on the power play. Nashville forward Viktor Arvidsson attempted to clear the puck, but Krug stopped it and beat Saros with a slap shot for his fourth goal.

McIntyre replaced goalie Tuukka Rask, who left the game in the first period after taking a brutal shot from Preds defenseman Roman Josi near the neck.

Josi also exited the game with an upper-body injury in the first. He was hit by Boston forward Anton Blidh in the corner. Blidh received a major for interference.

McIntryre made 14 saves for the Bruins.

The Bruins next host the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, when the Predators visit the Colorado Avalanche.

NASHVILLE, TN – JANUARY 12: In his first game as a Nashville Predator Derek Grant #27 of the Nashville Predators fights Adam McQuaid #54 of the Boston Bruins during the second period at Bridgestone Arena on January 12, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)