Brad Marchand out for Bruins in Game 5 vs Panthers 

Marchand left Game 3 after forty minutes and did not return for the third period after a collision with Panthers forward Sam Bennett , who was playing in his first game since Game 2 of the opening round against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

There was no penalty called on the hit or any supplemental discipline on the Panther’s gritty winger, as it was deemed a ‘hockey play’, despite an alternate angle showing Bennett’s glove making contact with the jaw of Marchand. 

“I think it pi--ed off everyone. I think that whole team kind of ticks everyone off, to be honest,” said Bruins center Trent Frederic before Game 4.

But more importantly for Boston, they will be without their captain and one of their leading scorers in a potential elimination game. 

Marchand has 10 points (three goals, seven assists) and a plus-2 rating in 10 playoff games for the Bruins. The 36-year-old has racked up 138 points (56 goals, 82 assists) and a stellar plus-29 in 156 career Stanley Cup Playoff games. 

Boston let a third-period lead slip away in Game 4 and now trails Florida 3-1 in this best-of-seven second-round series. Florida is coming off a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2023 and knocked off the Lighting in five games of round one.