Brad Marchand's availability for Game 4 is uncertain as he remains questionable due to injury. The Bruins express discontent with the hit that led to Marchand's injury.
In Boston, Brad Marchand's status remains day-to-day following an upper-body injury sustained in a collision with Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett during Game 3. The Boston Bruins have expressed concerns that the hit may have been excessive.
Marchand's participation in Game 4 on Sunday hangs in the balance, as he did not join the team for practice on Saturday. Notably, Marchand leads the Bruins in playoff scoring with 10 points across 10 games (3 goals, 7 assists).
With the Panthers holding a 2-1 series lead following their 6-2 triumph in Boston on Friday night, the Bruins face heightened pressure as they seek to even the series.
Social media reactions to the incident between Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand during Game 3 varied, with some highlighting a slow-motion replay that appeared to show Bennett making contact with Marchand's head using his right glove as Marchand moved in for a check. Andrew Raycroft, a former NHL goaltender covering the Bruins for NESN, characterized the play as "a sucker punch, not a reverse hit."
Despite these observations, a source informed ESPN that the NHL's department of player safety would not discipline Bennett for the incident, which did not result in a penalty from on-ice officials.
Bruins coach Jim Montgomery, although not witnessing the event in real-time, commented on the incident after reviewing the replay, noting a history between Bennett and the Bruins. Montgomery emphasized that while Bennett is recognized as a strong, physical player, there is discernible evidence of the nature of the collision. He emphasized that the concern isn't specifically with Marchand but with the type of blow delivered in previous encounters.
One notable past incident involving Bennett occurred during the Panthers' series against the Toronto Maple Leafs last season. In that instance, Bennett's right glove made contact with the face of forward Matthew Knies before Bennett tackled him to the ice, resulting in Knies suffering a concussion. Some observers characterized Bennett's action as a sneaky punch.
In response to queries about Bennett's actions, Florida coach Paul Maurice dismissed suggestions of intentional foul play, stating that it was merely a collision. Maurice expressed regret over Marchand's injury, highlighting the desire for player safety across all teams.
Bennett, making his return to the Florida lineup since Game 2 of the first round against the Tampa Bay Lightning, played 12:43 minutes and contributed to Vladimir Tarasenko's power-play goal, which extended the Panthers' lead to 2-0.
Panthers winger Carter Verhaeghe praised Bennett's physicality and timing, noting his ability to execute impactful hits, underscoring Bennett's unique skill set in the league.
Marchand took to the ice for eight shifts in the first period and seven in the second, accumulating a total ice time of 10:51 before exiting the game. Despite his presence, he did not manage to register a shot on goal, with just one shot attempt.
Boston center Charlie Coyle expressed his sentiments regarding Marchand's departure, highlighting the impact of losing a leader and key player. However, he emphasized the opportunity for other players to step up, drawing parallels to the resilience displayed by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round after losing star player Auston Matthews to an upper-body injury.
Coyle emphasized the team's commitment to supporting absent teammates and rising to the challenge, stating, "I think you'll see guys take on more responsibility and rise to that occasion. We want to play for guys who are out of the lineup and we wish can be in there. We play for each other, and that's something we're going to do [Sunday]."
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