Bruins-Panthers animosity reaches new level after Bennett attacked Marchand originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston
Animosity between the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers continues to escalate as the Eastern Conference second-round series progresses.
Panthers center Sam Bennett reportedly will not be fined or suspended for a questionable hit on Bruins left wing Brad Marchand during the first period of Friday night’s Game 3 at TD Garden.
Steve Conroy’s Boston Herald reported Saturday that no NHL discipline will come to Bennett.
Not hearing any supplemental discipline for Bennett
– Steve Conroy (@conroyherald) May 11, 2024
Bennett hit Marchand pretty hard near the Bruins bench, knocking the Boston captain down. Marchand was slow to get up and, although he played until the end of the second period, ruled out for the remainder of the game at the start of the third period due to an upper body injury. There was no penalty called on the play.
The initial replays of the hit didn’t seem too egregious, but other angles — including the one in the video below — make it fair to wonder if Bennett punched Marchand in the head.
Bruins coach Jim Montgomery had some interesting comments about Bennett’s hitting after Saturday’s practice.
“In real time, my eyes weren’t there because the puck had left that area,” Montgomery told reporters. “But having seen that, there is a history with Bennett. Tough player, but there is clear evidence of what happened. People might say it wasn’t intentional, but we have our view on it.”
“People might say it wasn’t intentional, but we have our view on it.”
Jim Montgomery’s full commentary 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
Marchand is considered “everyday,” according to Montgomery.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice, unsurprisingly, had a different view of Bennett’s hit on Marchand.
Maurice on if he sees a Bennett punch at Marchand: “No, and I don’t think most of you do either. It was just a collision. In a perfect world, every team has everyone healthy. No one likes to see anyone hurt.” #flapanthers #bruins
-Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) May 11, 2024
Bennett made a similar hit on Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies during the second round of last season’s playoffs. He was not suspended, but Knies missed the final three games of the series with a concussion.
Bennett returned to the Panthers’ lineup in Game 3 on Friday after missing the previous five games due to injury.
The Panthers won 6-2 in Game 3 and have a 2-1 series lead entering Game 4 at TD Garden on Sunday night.
