For the second consecutive game, the Boston Bruins will be without captain Brad Marchand, who is dealing with an upper-body injury. This time, the Bruins will be facing elimination in Game 5 against the Florida Panthers.
Marchand was injured during Game 3, when he took a controversial hit from Panthers forward Sam Bennett. Marchand didn’t play the third period of that game, and he missed all of Game 4 — a third consecutive loss for Boston.
During his press conference on Tuesday, Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery said that Marchand is “not an option tonight.” With Marchand out, Montgomery thinks the chance to extend the season and give their captain a shot to return will give the players some added juice.
“I think our focus is on our structure, our execution and getting ready to win Game 5,” Montgomery said. “Now, giving him an opportunity is extra motivation, yes.”
Without Marchand, Game 4 didn’t go well for Boston. Despite taking a 2-0 lead in the first period, the Bruins’ offense was anemic for most of the game. Boston managed just 18 shots on goal, and only two of those came in the third period as Florida surged from behind for a 3-2 win and a 3-1 series lead.
In the regular season, Marchand tallied 29 goals and 38 assists in 82 games, and he has 10 points in 10 games this postseason. That production will be sorely missed again in Game 5, and staving off elimination just got much harder.
The Boston Bruins will be without their captain, Brad Marchand, for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs due to an injury. Marchand, who has been a key player for the Bruins throughout the season, suffered the injury during Game 4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Marchand’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by the Bruins, as he is not only the team’s captain but also one of their top scorers. His offensive prowess and leadership on the ice have been instrumental in the Bruins’ success this season.
The exact nature of Marchand’s injury has not been disclosed by the team, but it is clear that it is serious enough to keep him out of Game 5. The Bruins will need to rely on their depth and other key players to step up in Marchand’s absence in order to secure a win and stay alive in the playoffs.
Despite the setback, the Bruins remain confident in their ability to compete without their captain. Head coach Bruce Cassidy has expressed faith in the team’s depth and their ability to overcome adversity.
Fans will undoubtedly be disappointed to see Marchand sidelined for such a crucial game, but they will be hopeful that the rest of the team can rally together and come out with a strong performance in his absence.
As Game 5 approaches, all eyes will be on the Bruins as they look to overcome this obstacle and keep their Stanley Cup hopes alive. The team will need to come together and play their best hockey in order to fill the void left by their captain and secure a win against a tough opponent in the Lightning.
