Bruins’ Marchand to talk to disciplinarian Shanahan
Another week. Another concussion. Another hearing.
This time, Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand will talk to NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan about a hit Saturday that flipped Vancouver Canucks defenseman Sami Salo.
Rink report
Salo hit his head on the ice and left the game. Canucks coach Alain Vigneault told news reporters Sunday that Salo woke up with a headache, meaning the NHL’S concussion protocol was kicking in.
Marchand explained his side to reporters in Boston. “The puck was going around the boards, and I went to pick it up and was kind of looking over my shoulder,” he said. “I saw Salo coming in, and I just kind of went down. You look up and you see a guy who’s 6-4, 6-5 coming in on you, your answer is just to protect yourself. It’s unfortunate he was hurt.”
Marchand was fined the maximum $2,500 for slew-footing Dallas Stars defenseman Matt Niskanen last month.
Saturday’s hit was part of a rough rematch between last season’s Stanley Cup finalists in which the Canucks beat the Bruins 4-3.
Boston’s Milan Lucic was ejected because the referees thought he had left the bench to join an altercation. But director of officiating Terry Gregson ruled during the evening that wasn’t the case and rescinded the misconduct.
Key games this week
-Vanco-ver at Florida Panthers (today): Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo, rested against Boston on Saturday, will face the team that drafted him. Luongo is 4-0-1 against the Panthers.
-Pittsb-rgh Penguins at Washington Capitals (Wednesday): Usually this would be touted as Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin, but Crosby remains out with a concussion. Still there’s star power. Ovechkin is on fire recently, and Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin is among the NHL’S top scorers with 44 points.
-San Jose Sharks at Winnipeg Jets (Thursday): No strategic importance, but it’s the first time in 15 years one can make a West Side Story reference.
Around the rinks:
Penguins center Jordan Staal (knee) is out for four to six weeks and winger
James Neal has a broken foot. . . . Ducks backup goalie Dan Ellis (groin muscle) will be out for four weeks.