Bruins Coach Suggests Sam Bennett's Hit on Brad Marchand Was Dirty

Karl Rasmussen | May 11, 2024

Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand / John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Bruins head into Game 4 trailing 2–1 in the Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Florida Panthers, and they may be without their captain for Sunday's tilt.

Brad Marchand exited the 6–2 loss in Game 3 early with what the team is calling an upper-body injury. The ailment seemed to stem from a big hit the captain took from Panthers forward Sam Bennett late into the first period, which sent him sliding hard into the boards. He's questionable for Sunday's Game 4.

On Saturday, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery voiced his displeasure with the hit from Bennett.

"In real time, I've got to be honest, my eyes weren't on there because the puck had left that area, so my eyes weren't on the exact play. But having seen it, there's a history there with Bennett. A good, hard player. But there's clearly evidence of what went on. People could say it wasn't intentional. We have our view of it," said Montgomery.

“People can say it wasn’t intentional, but we have our view of it.”

Jim Montgomery‘s full comments on the Sam Bennett-Brad Marchand collision that injured the Bruins captain. pic.twitter.com/1sgAehh4QH

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 11, 2024

In real time, the hit hardly looked too controversial, as Bennett appeared to be protecting himself from a back hit from Marchand. Upon further examination, however, Florida's forward could be seen throwing a punch to the face of Marchand, which is what Montgomery took issue with.

Bennett was not penalized for the hit,

Here’s another angle of the Bennett sucker punch#NHLBruins | @BruinSomethin pic.twitter.com/5vJGmXlpSh

— Michael Sullivan (@_MikeSullivan) May 11, 2024

Bennett played a physical game on Friday night, recording a game-high seven hits–which doesn't include the collision with Marchand. He added an assist, his second of the postseason as the Panthers grabbed a series lead in Game 3.

After Saturday's game, Florida's coach Paul Maurice said he saw nothing wrong with Bennett's collision with Marchand, though Montgomery would certainly beg to differ.