Brad Marchand exits Boston Bruins victory with lower-body injury
Another dominant win for the Boston Bruins was sullied by an injury to team icon Brad Marchand in the second period on Thursday night at home against the Buffalo Sabres.
Marchand left the game after Buffalo defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin hit him into the boards during a backhand feed to linemate Jake Debrusk in the offensive zone. Lyubushkin was not penalized.
Brad Marchand (lower-body) will not return tonight.
NESN thinks this was the hit that did it: pic.twitter.com/CcbRA4cJIz
An injury to Marchand would dampen spirits in Boston, where Taylor Hall was placed on LTIR earlier in the day.
Marchand began the game on a line with Debrusk and Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron. The 34-year-old has 19 goals and 53 points in as many games.
Despite the injuries to Hall and Marchand, through 61 games, Boston is currently on pace to break NHL single-season records for wins (62 by Detroit 1995-1996, Tampa Bay 2018-2019) and points (132 by Montreal 1976-1977).
Marchand’s injury continues a chaotic day of Bruins news that included Hall’s move to the LTIR, Nick Foligno landing on IR, a trade with the Red Wings for Tyler Bertuzzi, and a $90 million extension for superstar David Pastrnak. Bruins GM Don Sweeney will hope the moves can carry an aging Bruins roster into the future.
The Bruins drubbed the Sabres to run their winning streak to nine games. Seven Bruins recorded multiple points while goaltender Jeremy Swayman stopped 26 of 27 shots.
Boston will hope that Marchand will be available when they continue their historic first season under coach Jim Montgomery in a marquee matchup at home against the New York Rangers Saturday.