Bruins have found their ‘extra motivation’ for Game 5 vs. Panthers
Down 3-1 in their second-round series with the Panthers, the Bruins are not just fighting to extend their season in Tuesday’s Game 5 in Sunrise. They’re fighting to live another day and in doing so keep the door open for a potential Brad Marchand return.
There was a slight, slight hope that that return could’ve come in Game 5, especially after Marchand participated in the team’s morning skate after Marchand skated on his own on Monday. But rather than letting everyone twist in uncertainty, the Bruins made it clear that No. 63 is not ready.
“Not an option tonight,” Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery offered when asked about Marchand’s availability for Game 5. “I think our focus is on our structure, our execution, and getting ready to win Game 5. Now, giving him an opportunity [to return] is extra motivation, yes.”
Out since the third period of Game 3 after he took a Sam Bennett punch to the face in the first period, Marchand’s absence has been a glaring one for a B’s team that simply isn’t shooting the puck enough and struggling to not let the Panthers’ in-game momentum snowball.
But even simply having Marchand around the club is something that they believe will be beneficial with their backs against the wall.
“His presence… there’s an intensity to him about everything he does and there’s a professionalism to everything he does,” Montgomery said of the benefit of having Marchand around. “It’s a calming effect on the group. It’s what we’re used to.”
That, plus the overall ‘do it for the captain’ vibes coming out of the Boston room, are setting the stage for what the Bruins hope can be a season-extending night at Amerant Bank Arena.
