Bruins

Brad Marchand ‘not an option’ for Game 5 vs. Panthers

"Everyone has a lot of respect for him in this room."

By Conor Ryan

May 14, 2024

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SUNRISE, Fla. — If the Bruins are going to keep their season alive on Tuesday, they’ll have to do it without their captain. 

Despite taking part in Boston’s morning skate at Amerant Bank Arena, Brad Marchand is “not an option” for Game 5 against the Panthers, according to head coach Jim Montgomery.

Marchand, who missed Game 4 with an upper-body injury after taking a punch to the face by Panthers pivot Sam Bennett, took part in most of Tuesday’s skate session.

But the writing was on the wall that Marchand wasn’t cleared after the 36-year-old winger didn’t work with either power-play unit at the end of practice.  

The Bruins could presumably give Marchand an opportunity to get back into the lineup if they leave South Florida with a win on Tuesday — with a potential Game 6 set for Friday night at TD Garden. 

“I think our focus is on our structure, our execution and getting ready for Game 5,” Montgomery said. “Now, giving him an opportunity is extra motivation.”

Marchand’s absence has hindered the Bruins, who have dropped three straight games to the Panthers and now sit on the brink of elimination. Boston’s captain leads the team in postseason scoring with 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) in 10 games. 

There was no penalty assessed on Bennett for his punch on Marchand, nor did the Panthers forward face any supplemental discipline from the NHL for his actions. 

Despite the frustrations percolating over Bennett and the several bad breaks that have befallen the Bruins over the last week —  Andrew Peeke stressed that Boston needs to stay in the moment if it hopes to bring this series back to TD Garden. 

“Obviously, it’s no secret what’s at stake here tonight and I think we can use that to our advantage — high emotion,  high intensity. … I think we just really have to focus on what works for us,” Peeke said.

Even though Marchand will not take to the ice on Tuesday night, Morgan Geekie stressed that just having Marchand on the trip should serve as a boost to a Bruins team in need of a spark. 

“He’s a great captain,” Geekie said. “And everyone has a lot of respect for him in this room. And it’s good to see him on the ice for sure and making progress. We’re just happy he’s around. 

“He’s a super happy guy and brings a lot of energy to the room. And you notice when he’s not around, so it’s a good thing. He’s here, we’re happy to have him on the trip. And we’re just gonna try to get the job done for him.”