Marchand misses Game 4 with upper-body injury

Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand was forced to sit out Game 4 against the Florida Panthers on Sunday due to an upper-body injury.

Marchand suffered the ailment after a collision with Sam Bennett in Game 3 and remains day-to-day.

Brad Marchand's a little banged up on the Bruins bench after this collision with Sam Bennett#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/yN3kUkvYgo

- Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) May 10, 2024

Here's a closer look at the play, in which Bennett appeared to catch Marchand with his right fist as he was bracing for a hit.

Another look at where Brad Marchand's injury likely came from back in the first period#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/cHD9dtPtui

- Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) May 11, 2024

Bennett didn't receive any supplemental discipline for the incident.

Montgomery said Saturday that he believed there was intent on Bennett's end. He doubled down on that sentiment Sunday, stating that Bennett "knew what he was doing" and his actions were "outside the lines."

The Bruins didn't retaliate immediately after the hit, which winger Trent Frederic said was because they were initially unaware of how exactly Marchand got hurt. However, he added that he wasn't pleased with Bennett's play after getting a second look.

"I think it pisses off everyone," Frederic said. "I think this whole (Panthers) team ticks everyone off, to be honest. There's some individuals that maybe make guys more frustrated and more mad. But you can't use it as frustration, you still have to go out and do the job."

Center Pavel Zacha added the Bruins need to be more physical with the Panthers' best players.

"We have to go after their top guys and let them know that's not OK," Zacha said. "That's something to go after our captain - that's not OK with us. We're ready to be physical again today and be a little bit harder on them."

Bennett has been suspended twice in his 10-year NHL career: one game in 2021 for charging and three games in 2022 for a hit to the head. The Panthers center also notably avoided a suspension during Round 2 of the 2023 playoffs despite cross-checking Michael Bunting in the neck.

Marchand entered Sunday leading the Bruins with 10 points in as many games this postseason.

Bruins forward Danton Heinen returned to the lineup Sunday after missing the last five games.

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