Mar 1, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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Boston Bruins Brad Marchand Sidelined Week-to-Week with Injury

Boston's captain faces an extended absence, impacting the Bruins' playoff push as they navigate key matchups without their star forward.

The Boston Bruins will be without their captain, Brad Marchand, for an indefinite period as he recovers from an upper-body injury. Head coach Joe Sacco confirmed that Marchand is listed as “week-to-week,” a blow to a team fighting for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The veteran forward was injured after taking a hard hit from Penguins defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph in Saturday’s game. Though he hasn’t been placed on injured reserve yet, there’s a possibility Boston could make that move ahead of their Thursday matchup against the Hurricanes to free up a roster spot.

Marchand has been remarkably durable in recent seasons, even after undergoing hip surgery that cost him the start of the 2022-23 campaign. Before his injury, he had been one of Boston’s most productive players, tallying 10 points in his last 10 games. His absence comes at a critical time, just days before the trade deadline. Despite being in the final year of his contract, there is no expectation that he will be moved, as he remains a key figure in the Bruins’ locker room and is not among the players Boston is open to trading.

Brad Marchand will be out week-to-week with an upper body injury pic.twitter.com/8viNmgkyX1
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 4, 2025

The Bruins’ playoff outlook, however, is looking bleak. They’ve struggled since returning from the Four Nations break, winning just one of their last five games. Though they remain within striking distance of a wild-card spot, multiple teams stand in their way, and they’ve played more games than some of their closest competitors. According to MoneyPuck, their chances of making the postseason have dropped below 10%.

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At 36, Brad Marchand is still a valuable player, but his production has dipped compared to previous seasons. With 47 points in 61 games, he’s on track for his lowest offensive output in nearly a decade. The Bruins’ overall struggles in creating scoring opportunities haven’t helped either, and for the first time since his rookie season, he’s on pace to finish with a negative plus-minus rating. Even so, he remains Boston’s second-best forward behind David Pastrňák, far outpacing others like Charlie Coyle, Elias Lindholm, and Pavel Zacha.

With Marchand and fellow forward Trent Frederic sidelined—Frederic is also expected to be traded before the deadline—the Bruins will need to rely on younger players to step up. Georgii Merkulov, recently called up from AHL Providence, is likely to see increased ice time in the top six. The 24-year-old has limited NHL experience, recording just one assist in nine career games, but has been one of Providence’s top performers this season. As Boston fights to stay in the playoff race, the coming weeks will test their depth and resilience without their captain leading the charge.

Image Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Boston Bruins

Brad Marchand

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Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!