The Bruins’ season remains alive after the 2-1 win over the Panthers in Game 5 of the second-round series on Tuesday, though the status of Brad Marchand remains questionable after he was on the receiving end of a punch from Florida centerman Sam Bennett in Game 3 and has been out since with an upper-body injury.
The nature of Bennett’s hit on Marchand—that it appeared to be an intentional punch—has become one of several controversial flash points in the series (and isn’t the only one involving Bennett). Given Marchand’s role with Boston as captain and one of the team’s primary offensive weapons, his absence is a huge loss for the Bruins.