How Bruins’ Brad Marchand Will Approach Sam Bennett Matchup

The Bruins open the season against the Panthers, and there’s plenty of history between the sides.

Florida knocked Boston out of the Stanley Cup playoffs in the last two seasons, and last year’s postseason featured a lot of physicality. One infamous moment was Sam Bennett’s hit on Brad Marchand in Game 3 that knocked the Bruins captain out of the following two games.

Marchand didn’t hold any resentment toward Bennett for the hit, and the 36-year-old continued to carry no ill will heading into Tuesday’s season opener.

“Listen, that’s part of the playoffs,” Marchand told reporters, per a team-provided video. “I said it plenty of times. In playoff time, if you can knock players out, it only gives your team an advantage. That happens. Teams play very physical. They’re a very physical team, and it’s part of their DNA. You play this game never expecting to get hurt. Been on my end of both sides of the shots. Again, it’s part of the game. He definitely got away with one. You can see the play and everything. That’s the way the game goes. I’m not holding any animosity. I’m gonna play just as hard as I always do. It’s part of the game.”

Marchand noted that the goal for the Bruins remains the same, and they’ll look to make a statement against the reigning Stanley Cup champions to reach their goals.