The Boston Bruins are facing what feels like a must-win scenario on Sunday night, and they will have to tackle the challenge without their captain.
Brad Marchand suffered an upper-body injury during Boston’s 6-2 loss to the Panthers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference series between the two teams on Friday night. While no further details about the injury have been disclosed, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery told reporters Marchand will not play in Game 4 on Sunday night.
Jim Montgomery provides a lineup update for tonight's game: "Marchand is out tonight…he's doing well it's day to day…Heinen is a option for tonight." pic.twitter.com/nYMfaGxj7p
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 12, 2024
Marchand appeared to suffer the injury on a controversial collision in Game 3. Marchand initiated a hit on Panthers center Sam Bennett when Bennett appeared to stick his fist out to brace himself and hit Marchand in the head.
https://twitter.com/to_do_82/status/1789259515214356557
It is unclear if the play was deliberate, but the Bruins took it that way. Center Trent Frederic said Boston’s locker room is not happy over the play.
“I think it pissed off everyone. I think that whole team kind of ticks everyone off, to be honest,” Frederic said, via ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski.
Montgomery would not say whether Marchand sustained a concussion.
The first three games between the Bruins and Panthers featured a lot of spirited moments. Marchand was at the center of some of them and was even mocked by a Florida player in a very unique way.
The Bruins had a surprising 5-1 win on the road against the Panthers in Game 1, but things turned quickly after that. Florida won Game 2 and Game 3 by a combined score of 12-3.
