Marchand OK with 2-game suspension
Brad Marchand will not miss any playoff games, but the NHL Department of Player Safety’s ruling yesterday made sure that the Bruins left winger’s quest for 40 goals is stopped at 39.
The league whacked Marchand with a two-game suspension for spearing Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Jake Dotchin in the groin in the B’s 4-0 victory on Tuesday night.
While Marchand will be available for the postseason, his untimely transgression could have an effect on what opponent the B’s see in the first round — Toronto, Ottawa or the very unpalatable draw of the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Washington Capitals.
While the league, in its explanatory video, conceded that not all stick infractions rise to the level of a suspension, Marchand’s extensive rap sheet — seven previous fines or suspensions — as well as the nastiness of the foul led to this suspension. Earlier this year, Marchand escaped with just a fine when he tripped Detroit’s Niklas
Kronwall dangerously from behind. That light sentence was also duly noted by the league.
“The intent, the amount of force used, and Marchand’s substantial history of attacking the lower body of unsuspecting opponents. This is not accidental or inadvertent contact” made this one a suspendable offense, noted Patrick Burke, director of player safety, adding. “Marchand drives his stick both up and into Dotchin, with substantial force.”
After a lengthy stay on the ice, Dotchin did return to action in the second period, but that fact was not enough to sway the league this time.
Marchand reiterated what he said on Tuesday, that the hit was “selfish and undisciplined” but professed faith in his teammates.
“The most important thing is we’re in the playoffs and, regardless of who we have to play, we have to do the job. So a couple of games here,” said Marchand before last night’s shootout loss to Ottawa that left them a point behind the Senators, and two points ahead of Toronto — and both teams own a game in hand on the B’s.
“There’s still a very capable team on the ice. They won a huge game without me the other night and we’ve got be ready to play regardless.”
He expressed relief that the suspension did not bite into the playoffs.
“It would have been pretty disappointing to sit out a playoff game, but I’ll be back for that,” said Marchand.
Bergy owns dot
Patrice Bergeron entered last night’s game on an amazing hot streak in the faceoff circle, having won 25 in a row. He was a perfect 17-for-17 against Tampa, primarily against rookie Yanni Gourde, and won his last eight in Chicago on Sunday, seven of which came at the expense of one of the league’s other top faceoff men, Jonathan Toews.
“I can’t imagine anyone’s that won that many in a row, against different players, and some good players,” said interim coach Bruce
Cassidy. “Now the other night, he had a young kid (Gourde) and took him to school, that’s going to happen. But in general, over the course of his career, Bergy’s not picky about who he beats up in the faceoff circle. Maybe he’s just feeling it right now. With the importance, he maybe just digging in a little more.
“But it’s great to start with the puck. It’s always an advantage. ... We’ve actually got to improve from his won faceoffs. I think we can get better at breaking it out from there. But as long as he keeps winning, we’ll keep getting practice.”
Bergeron had the streak snapped last night, but he still won 9-of-13.
JFK arrives
Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson cleared his immigration hurdles yesterday and skated with the team in pregame warmups. He could play in tomorrow’s regular season finale against Washington.
In an appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub, team president Cam
Neely denied there was a deal in place for defenseman Charlie McAvoy to play one game for Boston and burn a year of his entry level contact, which he has not yet signed (he’s currently in Providence on an amateur tryout contract).
He didn’t rule out McAvoy playing in Boston this year if the team felt he could help, but he sounded cool to the idea.
“We look at ( Zach) Werenski in Columbus, how he went to the minors and the year he’s having this year instead of jumping right into the NHL,” said Neely. “The defensive position at the NHL level is a strong learning curve. He’s got all kinds of skill . . . We just need a little more structure.”