Brad Marchand’s 2024-25 Bruins preseason debut was short-lived Tuesday night.
Marchand only played a little over four minutes of the Bruins-Flyers exhibition clash before he left the TD Garden ice and didn’t return. The Boston captain’s early departure was due to illness and had nothing to do with the multiple offseason surgeries he underwent.
Knowing Marchand was under the weather and not injured probably put Bruins fans a bit at ease. But head coach Jim Montgomery nonetheless provided a reassuring update on the two-time All-Star after his team’s 4-1 win over Philadelphia.
“He wasn’t feeling good two days ago, and when he showed up this morning, he felt good,” Montgomery told reporters. “Maybe it came back; 24-hour bug, now a 12-hour bug. He’ll be fine.”
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With Boston’s regular-season opener set for Oct. 8 in Florida, Marchand and the Bruins were wise to take it easy Tuesday night. The Black and Gold also still have two games left on their preseason schedule, which can allow the 36-year-old to knock some rust off before his club goes up against the reigning Stanley Cup champions on Opening Night.
Boston will play its penultimate exhibition tilt Thursday evening in Los Angeles against the Kings.
