Bruins’ Marchand avoids injury absence, will play Saturday vs. Rangers

Boston Bruins star forward Brad Marchand won’t miss any more time after exiting Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres with a lower-body injury in the second period.

The Bruins told reporters Marchand will be available Saturday when the league’s top team faces Patrick Kane and the New York Rangers in a marquee matchup.

Marchand didn’t take a shift in the final 25:55 of Boston’s win on Thursday.

“I feel good,” Marchand told reporters on Friday. “Kind of banged my knee and just wanted to be safe.”

The two-time All-Star has 19 goals and 34 assists for 53 points in 53 games this season.

The Bruins also said Taylor Hall (lower-body injury) is getting a second medical opinion. He was placed on long-term injured reserve on Thursday.