With Boston down 3-0 after two periods on Friday night, the Bruins suffered another setback when they lost their captain for the final period of their 6-2 loss to the Florida Panthers.
Brad Marchand appeared to suffer an upper-body injury just under four minutes into the game, when an awkward hit from Sam Bennett sent Marchand crashing to the ice and the boards.
Marchand struggled back to the bench wincing, but remained in the game, playing regularly through the rest of the first and second period. Marchand logged 10:51 of ice time and five hits but no shots on goal.
Slowed down, it appears Bennett may have actually landed a punch to Marchand's head that went uncalled.
It wasn’t until the second intermission that the decision was made to remove Marchand from the game. He missed the final 20 minutes.
There was no immediate update from Bruins coach Jim Montgomery about the severity of the injury and what it means for Marchand’s availability for Game 4 on Sunday.
“Upper body. We’ll know more tomorrow,” Montgomery said after the game.
Montgomery said the Bruins’ short rally in the third came in part as an effort by his team to bring Marchand’s level of intensity and fight.
"I thought we rallied because of our captain. I thought that Pasta [David Pastrnak] and Charlie McAvoy did a great job with him not being on the bench, and I thought our players all elevated and we started competing like Brad Marchand would," Montgomery said.
Marchand’s linemate, Jake DeBrusk, spoke about Marchand’s absence and toughness.
“I think, collectively, everybody does and we’ve always had a next-man-up mentality,” DeBrusk said. “Injuries happen throughout the playoffs and he’s probably the toughest guy I know, so I don’t doubt he’ll do anything he can to get back as fast as possible.”
Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo spoke about who stepped up vocally when Marchand was not on the bench: “I will commend Pasta, Big Rig [Pat Maroon], Charlie [McAvoy], a lot of guys stepping up, being more vocal in that third period.”
The Bruins have just one day off in between Games 3 and 4 of their series against the Panthers for Marchand to rest and recover.
The Bruins will be back at TD Garden Sunday night with a 6:30 p.m. puck drop, looking to tie the series with the Panthers at 2-2.
Saturday update: According to the Boston Herald's Steve Conroy, Bennett is not expected to face any supplemental discipline from the league.