Bruins' Marchand on hit by Panthers' Bennett: 'I think he got away with a shot'

Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand spoke Thursday for the first time since sustaining an upper-body injury during the first period of Game 3 last Friday following a hit by Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett.

The 36-year-old was asked whether he thought he was a victim of a cheap shot by Bennett.

"He plays hard, is an extremely physical player and a great player for their group. I think he got away with a shot but I'm not going to complain, (expletive) happens," Marchand told reporters after practice Thursday. "That's playoff hockey. I've been on the other side of a lot of plays and I think you get away with one but that's part of the game. It sucks to be on the other side of it but that stuff happens, so I'm not going to sit here and complain about it."

Marchand was back at practice Thursday, a day before his Bruins host the Panthers for Game 6 of their second-round series.

Marchand appeared to be in full gear as he took the ice at Warrior Arena. Marchand has missed the past two games in the series.

When asked if he expected to play in Game 6, Marchand wasn't ready to give a definitive status.

"Just going through the steps and see how tomorrow goes," Marchand told reporters. "It's very tough to watch this time of year. You want to be part of it and it was great to get back out there and to be around the energy and the emotion."

Marchand led the Bruins in playoff points before the injury, with three goals and 10 points in 10 games.

He didn't miss a game during the regular season while registering 29 goals and 67 points.

The Panthers hold a 3-2 series lead as the Bruins look to stave off elimination again and force a decisive seventh game. Watch Game 6 live Friday on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+, starting at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.