Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand is day-to-day with an upper-body injury after a controversial hit by Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers, with Bruins head coach implying intent to injure and Marchand’s status for Game 4 uncertain.
Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand is in a bit of a pickle. He’s day-to-day after a hit from Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers. This happened during the first period of Game 3 on Friday night. Marchand did come back for a bit in the Bruins’ 6-2 loss. But, he was nowhere to be seen in the third period.
Just a few minutes into Game 3, Bennett’s hit sent Marchand flying into the boards. It was in the neutral zone. Marchand managed to get up on his own, but it was clear he was struggling. And then, he didn’t play in the third period at all.
There’s some chatter about Bennett’s hit. Some say he might’ve punched Marchand in the process. No one’s got a clear shot of it, though. And at the time, Bennett walked away without a penalty.
The next day, Marchand was MIA from practice. Bruins’ coach, Jim Montgomery, had a few things to say about it. He didn’t see the hit in real-time because the puck was elsewhere. But after seeing it, Montgomery hinted at Bennett’s intent to injure. “There’s a history there with Bennett,” he said. He’s a tough player, sure. But Montgomery made his stance clear.
Now, the Bruins are in a bit of a spot before Game 4 in Boston. Marchand, a key player who helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2011, might not play. He’s racked up 10 points in 10 games this postseason. If he’s out, David Pastrnak will have to carry even more of the load.
