Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand will be missing from the lineup today as his team faces the Minnesota Wild, following an upper-body injury sustained during Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Bruins reported on March 2, 2025, the unfortunate news about Marchand, who exited the ice early after being injured by Penguins defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph.
The incident occurred only five minutes and 56 seconds after the puck dropped, with Marchand leading his team to an early 1-0 lead. He fell awkwardly, head and shoulders first, after being hit from behind by Joseph and remained on the ice for some time before being assisted off.
"There’s really nothing to report yet. He’s out today," said Bruins head coach Joe Sacco when addressing the media. He added, "I will know more when he gets evaluated when we get back to Boston," indicating the team would monitor Marchand's condition closely upon their return.
This season, Marchand has been one of Boston's most consistent players, participating in 61 games where he has scored 21 goals and made 26 assists for 47 points. He is currently second on the team, reflecting his scoring ability and importance to the Bruins' offense. His performance includes registering at least one goal in 19 games and contributing at least one assist in 24 matches.
The absence of Marchand could impact the Bruins' efforts to secure playoff contention. Currently holding a record of 28-25-8, the team is two points behind their Atlantic Division rival, the Detroit Red Wings, for the second wild card seed in the Eastern Conference. Without their captain, the Bruins are expected to make adjustments and promote Georgi Merkulov to take Marchand's place within the top-six forwards against the Wild.
Marchand, 36, was originally selected by the Bruins in the third round of the 2006 NHL Draft. Over his impressive career featuring 1,090 games, he has tallied 422 goals and 554 assists, placing him fifth all-time on the Bruins' franchise scoring list. He is also renowned for his postseason achievements, holding 56 goals and 82 assists throughout 157 playoff appearances and being instrumental during the team’s Stanley Cup win in 2011, where he is remembered for putting up 11 goals and eight assists across 25 games.
After being appointed as the Bruins' captain in September 2023, Marchand has continued to exemplify leadership both on and off the ice. He carries with him the honor of being the 27th player to don the ‘C’ for the team. This season marks the last year of his current contract, which has an average annual value of $6.125 million, setting him up to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
For the Bruins and their fans, Marchand's injury is a significant blow as they look to solidify their playoff aspirations. With the next game underway and their star player sidelined, the team needs to rally together and adjust accordingly.
With Marchand's re-evaluation scheduled for Monday, Bruins fans will await news on his recovery and hope to see him back on the ice soon. His scoring ability and on-ice presence are irreplaceable, and the team will be eager to get him back as they make their playoff push.