BOSTON — After a two-game absence, Brad Marchand appears ready for a return.
The Boston Bruins captain took part in warmups ahead of Game 6 against the Florida Panthers at TD Garden on Friday night — signaling a return to the ice. Marchand was injured in Game 3 on a hit from Sam Bennett. The Panthers forward wasn’t penalized, nor did he receive any supplemental discipline from the NHL.
Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said at Friday’s morning skate that Marchand was a game-time decision.
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Marchand, as he usually is, was the last skater off the ice after warmups ended.
Per the roster report, he’ll start with Charlie Coyle and Trent Frederic.
Despite an angle showing Bennett appear to sucker-punch Marchand, the forward wasn’t mad at his opponent.
“He plays hard, you know, he’s an extremely physical player, a great player for their group. I think he got away with a shot but, I’m not gonna complain. (Expletive) happens and that’s part of, especially playoff hockey,” Marchand said. “I’ve been on the other side a lot of a lot of plays and I think you get away with one but that’s part of the game and definitely part of playoff hockey. It sucks to be on the other side of it. But that stuff happens.
“It’s part of the playoffs. People don’t want to say it, but part of playoffs is trying to hurt every player on the other team and the more guys you take out, the more advantage your team has,” he added. “That’s just a fact of the game and, so every time you step on the ice, someone’s trying to hurt someone and that’s just how it goes in playoffs. Anytime you can get an advantage on a team that’s gonna help your team win.
The Bruins extended their season with a gutsy 2-1 win in Game 5, and look to force a decisive Game 7 against the Panthers.
