Bruins' Marchand 'Fine' After Leaving Morning Skate
BOSTON (CBS)- The Boston Bruins got a bit of a scare Thursday morning when forward Brad Marchand left the ice as the team practiced ahead of Thursday night's Game 1 against the New York Rangers.
While Marchand left the ice in pain, head coach Claude Julien said it's nothing to worry about.
"He'll be fine. He'll be there tonight," said Julien.
Marchand appeared to be injured during a 2-on-1 drill and did not return to the ice after leaving. But the "little ball of hate" will apparently be out there for Game 1 looking to agitate the New York Rangers.
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The same cannot be said for a trio of Bruins defenseman though. Dennis Seidenberg, Andrew Ference and Wade Redden each missed practice again, and are likely out for Thursday night.
The trio of absences forced Julien to make up three new defensive pairings on Wednesday, and those three lines were back out there on Thursday. Rookie Dougie Hamilton lined up next to Zdeno Chara, Johnny Boychuk paired with Matt Bartkowski, and Adam McQuaid with Torey Krug.
As for his forwards, Julien had his first line intact on Thursday with David Krejci centering Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton, but went back to the minor change the lines went with on Wednesday. Tyler Seguin remained on the third line with Chris Kelly and Rich Peverley, meaning Jaromir Jagr was back out with Patrice Bergeron and Marchand. Boston's fourth line of Gregory Campbell, Shawn Thornton and Daniel Paille remained intact.
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Marchand was seen walking through the Bruins locker room shortly after practice without a limp and appeared to be in good spirits, but declined to talk with reporters.
Marchand went without a goal in the first round against the Maple Leafs, logging just three assists in seven games. For his career, Marchand has 12 goals and 12 assists in 39 playoff games.
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