Bruins are hoping that Marchand can bounce back
Leon Draisaitl provided the Edmonton Oilers with a boost when he came back from an injury. Sam Bennett
delivered in his return for the Florida Panthers.
The Boston Bruins are hoping Brad Marchand can do the same.
Bennett, who was injured in Game 2 of Florida’s firstround series against Tampa Bay, returned Friday night with some big hits in the Panthers’ 6-2 win over the Bruins that tied their series at one game apiece. One of the collisions left Marchand struggling to get off the ice and in pain on the bench.
Replays show a collision in which Bennett’s hand comes up and appears to hit Marchand in the face. Bruins coach Jim Montgomery
was among those who took issue with the hit, saying “there’s clearly evidence of what went on.”
Marchand remained in the game but did not return for the third period. He did not practice Saturday, and Montgomery said the team’s leading scorer in the playoffs was day to day.
Bennett missed five straight playoff games after he was injured April 23, but he returned Friday night with seven hits and an assist. About a minute after the Marchand hit, he flattened Bruins star David Pastrnak.
“It’s important to not dip your toe in. I wanted to go out there and play full speed,” Bennett said.
The Oilers were preparing to be without Draisaitl, who was hurt late in a Game 1 loss to Vancouver. He was a game-time decision and scored a goal with three assists in Friday’s 4-3, overtime win that tied the series.
Draisaitl has six goals in the playoffs and is second only to teammate Connor McDavid with 17 points.
“He’s an amazing player, one of the best players in the world, the best player in the world on a lot of nights,” said McDavid, who had a fourpoint night. “And tonight was one of those nights.”
Also
New York Rangers forward Filip Chytil was ruled out for Saturday’s Game 4 against Carolina, one game after returning from a head injury that had sidelined him since November.