Bruins, Panthers debate Sam Bennett's hit on Brad Marchand

After Brad Marchand left Game 3 of the Boston Bruins' series against the Florida Panthers Friday night, the hit he received from Sam Bennett in the first period became a talking point between the two teams on Saturday.

On the play, Bennett passed the puck ahead before getting the best of Marchand as the two players collided. The Bruins captain went to the bench in pain but was able to make it to the end of the second period. He didn't come out for the third, which the team said due to an upper-body injury.

“There’s a history there with Bennett. There’s clearly evidence of what went on," Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery told reporters Saturday. "People can say it wasn't intentional. We have our view of it.”

Bennett has received two suspensions in his career, one in the 2021 playoffs for a hit on Blake Coleman and one for a hit to the head of Cedric Paquette in the 2021-22 regular season.

Last post-season, he was fined for cross-checking Michael Bunting in the Panthers' second-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Reporters asked Panthers head coach Paul Maurice if Bennett threw a punch at Marchand on the play.

"No. It was just a collision," he said. "In a perfect world, every team has everybody healthy. Nobody likes to see him get hurt."

Marchand is considered day-to-day ahead of Game 4 on Sunday. The Bruins will try to avoid falling behind 3-1 in the series after Friday's Game 3 loss put the Panthers ahead in the series.

In nine games this post-season, Marchand has three goals and 10 points, including two assists this series.

Game 3 was Bennett's first game of the series. He had been out since Game 2 of Florida's first-round series win over the Tampa Bay Lighting after taking a shot off his hand.

You can watch Game 4 on Sportsnet or Sportsnet+ on Sunday. Coverage starts at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT.