The Boston Bruins are in trouble. Boston is down 2-1 against the Florida Panthers in the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Game 4 is tonight and the Bruins will need all the help they can get to stay alive in the series. Unfortunately, they will be without one of their best players.
According to Fluto Shinzawa from The Athletic, superstar forward Brad Marchand will not play in tonight's crucial game against the Panthers.
Marchand received an apparent upper-body injury in a gut-wrenching 6-2 Game 3 loss on Friday night. He took a hit from Panthers forward Sam Bennett in the first period. Marchand returned during the first period after a lengthy absence and played the second period. However, he did not return to the ice in the third period after the game was already out of hand.
Marchand was being evaluated day-to-day and it was immediately uncertain whether he could suit up for Game 4. Now Boston must make adjustments ahead of tonight pivotal matchup.
Boston should be hoping for a speedy recovery for Marchand. The 36-year-old is a leader on the team and has played a crucial role during the postseason. He has logged three goals, seven assists, and 10 points so far throughout the playoffs.
Marchand has scored 29 goals, 38 assists, and 67 points during the regular season. His average time on ice was 19:06 this season, which leaves a gaping hole for Boston to fill before tonight's game.
Previewing Game 4 of Bruins vs. Panthers: Boston seeks revenge after humbling Game 3 loss
Friday night's Game 3 defeat left a bad taste in Boston's mouth.
Plenty of blame has been placed against head coach Jim Montgomery after the 6-2 thumping, including from Montgomery himself.
“We've had a couple of games where we started slow,” Montgomery said, via ESPN. “We haven't generated much offense. I have to give the players a better plan. Florida was significantly better than us. I've got to come up with a better gameplan.”
Montgomery is right to take responsibility, but he is not the only thing going wrong with the Bruins.
Forward Jake DeBrusk was quick to take accountability for the Bruins players themselves after the loss.
“We're the ones that are out there. We're the ones that are playing the game. He can put any plan that he thinks it's going to help us out, but we've got to execute,” DeBrusk said, via ESPN. “It's about making the right one or making the right decisions and obviously we didn't do that. Against a team like that, you have to play a pretty perfect game. And the last two games you've seen what happens when we don't.”
According to The Athletic, the Florida Panthers entered the series with a 69% chance to win. The Marchand injury only makes matters worse for Boston. The Athletic called their shot with a five-game victory for Florida being the most probable outcome. That is looking more likely now than ever.
Boston will have to rally in front of the home crowd if they want to stay alive in the playoffs.