BOSTON (AP) — Brad Marchand is expected to play in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final despite leaving the Boston Bruins’ morning skate early.
Coach Bruce Cassidy says Marchand is good to go for the series opener against the St. Louis Blues, and Boston’s leading scorer in the playoffs did not have anything visible on his left hand when speaking with reporters. Marchand jammed the hand during a scrimmage Thursday night and skipped practice Sunday for maintenance.
Cassidy expects to match up the first line of Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak against the Blues’ top trio of Jaden Schwartz, Brayden Schenn and Vladimir Tarasenko. They’ve been on fire in the eight games since coach Craig Berube reunited them.
Berube said banged-up forward Robert Thomas is good to play Monday night. Vince Dunn will miss his fourth consecutive game with an upper-body injury, though Berube said the 22-year-old defensemen is getting closer to returning.
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