The latest buzz about the Florida Panthers' second-round Stanley Cup Playoff series matchup against the Boston Bruins stems from a first-period hit on Panthers center Sam Bennett that ultimately led to the Bruins Captain Brad Marchand was ejected in Game 3, which Florida won 6-2. Friday came early due to injury.
During the play, Bennett passed the puck forward in the neutral zone and collided with Marchand near the bench at center ice about three and a half minutes into regulation. When the two collided, Marchand appeared to drop his shoulders.
Marchand went to the bench with pain, but played until the second period.
He missed the third game, and Bruins coach Jim Montgomery told reporters Saturday that Marchand was dealing with an upper-body injury.
“In real time, to be honest, when the puck left that area, my eyes weren't there,” Montgomery said. “My eyes weren't really focused on the play, but when you look at it, there's a history there with Bennett. He's a hard player, but I don't know what happened. There is clear evidence. You may say it was unintentional, but we have a view on that.”
Panthers coach Paul Maurice opposed the idea.
“It was just a collision,” Morris said Saturday morning. “In a perfect world, everyone would be healthy on any team. No one likes to see him hurt.”
Friday was Bennett's first game back since Game 2 of Florida's first-round game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 23. Bennett missed five games after taking a slap on the wrist midway through a Lightning game.
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Meanwhile, Marchand has 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) through 10 games this postseason with Boston.
“Obviously, he's a great player,” Bennett said of Marchand after Friday's game. “He's an important part of that team. He's playoff hockey. Let's see.”
Puck drop for Game 4 of the best-of-seven series will take place at TD Garden in Boston on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Florida leads the series 2-1.
