Bruins captain out for Game 4

The Boston Bruins trail 1-2 heading into Game 4 on Sunday night against the Florida Panthers. An injury to one of their best players makes the must-win matchup even more difficult.

In a news conference on Sunday morning, Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery said captain Brad Marchand will not play in Game 4.

The 36-year-old left winger suffered an upper-body injury after colliding with Panthers center Sam Bennett in the first period of Game 3 on Friday. Marchand exited the game before the start of the third period.

“There’s a history there with Bennett. There’s clearly evidence of what went on,” Montgomery said of the collision on Saturday, per Bleacher Report. “People can say it wasn’t intentional. We have our view of it.”

Bennett was fined last postseason when he cross-checked left winger Michael Bunting in Florida’s second-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said what happened with Marchand “was just a collision,” via Sportsnet.

Regardless, Marchand’s injury is a massive loss for the Bruins. This postseason, he leads the team in points (10 in 10 games) and is tied for second in goals (three).

Left winger Danton Heinen — cleared to return from an undisclosed injury, per Montgomery— may fill in for Marchand. This postseason, he has logged one assist in five games.

Anticipate Boston using Marchand’s injury as motivation. Bruins center Pavel Zacha noted they want to send a message in Game 4.