How Brad Marchand inspired the Bruins despite not playing
Brad Marchand missed a second straight game Tuesday. That was expected. WEEI's Rich Keefe had reported over the weekend that the Bruins' captain would miss at least two games while going through concussion protocol after getting sucker-punched by Panthers center Sam Bennett in Game 3.
Marchand did travel to Florida with the team, though. He was able to join his teammates on the ice for morning skate Tuesday. He was in the room with them before the game and during intermissions. According to the Bruins themselves, Marchand's presence alone helped propel Boston to a 2-1 victory that kept their season alive and brought the series back to TD Garden for Game 6 on Friday.
"Having him around is awesome, in any capacity," said Charlie McAvoy, who was the No. 1 star of Game 5 with the game-winning goal and an assist. "Just his presence for us means a lot, and everything that he carries and what he means to this team. So, having him here on this trip was – you know, he's in there during the game and constantly giving us life, giving us positivity. And that means a lot. We had his jersey hung in his stall tonight. We know what he means to this group. We didn't say die. We wanted to see this thing go back to Boston and give him a chance to get right and hopefully be back."
"It's no fun to watch your team go to battle, but he was amazing," David Pastrnak added of Marchand. "He came in between every period, gave a little quick speech, and he was there for us. So, we obviously talked and wanted to get him back in the series and keep extending the series. So, very proud of our of our team and him as well."
The Bruins' video team captured some of Marchand's pregame interactions with his teammates, and the team posted it to X/Twitter with the caption, "Do it for The Cap." It's not that Marchand was doing anything above and beyond the usual pregame pump-up, but it certainly seems like the team did take that motto to heart.
Obviously, the Bruins shouldn't have really needed any extra motivation Tuesday night. They were facing elimination. Just keeping your season alive should be all the motivation anyone needs. But every little bit helps, something Jim Montgomery acknowledged before the game.
"I think our focus is on our structure, our execution and getting ready to win Game 5. Now, giving him an opportunity is extra motivation, yes," the Bruins coach said.
"He's a great captain, and everyone has a lot of respect for him in this room," added Morgan Geekie pregame. "It's good to see him on the ice, for sure, and making progress. We're just happy he's around. He's a super happy guy and brings a lot of energy to the room, and you notice when he's not around. It's a good thing that he's here. We're happy to have him on the trip, and we're just gonna try to get the job done for him."
Based on all the comments from Montgomery and Bruins players, along with Marchand being able to skate with the team, it seems like there's a real chance that Marchand will be cleared to return for Friday's Game 6. Having a two-day break between games gives him a little extra time to check the last couple boxes.
So much had been made of Bennett's punch that knocked Marchand out – the different replay angles, the comments from both sides, the NHL's inaction when it came to supplemental discipline, how the Bruins might retaliate, and on and on and on. Add in more questionable officiating in Game 4, and there were more than enough excuses and distractions to go around.
The Bruins had two choices: Give in to those excuses and distractions and have their season end, or block it out, move forward and play hockey.
On Tuesday, they were finally able to do the latter, with Marchand helping to set the tone. "Positivity." "Happy." "Energy." This wasn't a Marchand who was moping around, bemoaning the cheap shot that took him out or wallowing in misery. This was a captain leading, even if he couldn't yet do so on the ice.
Now, if Marchand can get back on the ice for Game 6, he might be able to give his team an even bigger boost as they aim to fight off elimination once again.
