Florida Panthers

Marchand Leaves Panthers Game After Hits, Maurice Said ’Coach’s Decision’

Published

2 weeks ago

January 6, 2026

Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand celebrates a goal against the Flyers earlier this season. Marchand left Tuesday’s game after the second period in Toronto and did not return. // Photo courtesy @FlaPanthers

Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand did not play in the third period of a 4-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night.

Marchand took a couple of hits near the boards late in the second period including one from Bobby McCann.

After the loss, Paul Maurice said Marchand had some lingering issues and was pulled for precautionary reasons per FloridaPanthers.com reporter Jameson Olive.

“He’s been dealing with something and it got to the point where we didn’t want to make it worse,’’ Maurice said answering Olive’s question. “We are a little sensitive when it comes to injuries here and we have to do our best to keep guys healthy.

“That was a coach’s decision.’’

The Panthers have been hit hard by injuries this season with a good number of high-end players missing much of the season.

Matthew Tkachuk has been out since having surgery on Aug. 22, although he removed the no-contact jersey at Tuesday’s morning skate and could be back in the coming days or games.

Defenseman Seth Jones is the latest high profile Florida player to go down with an injury, taking a deflected puck off the collarbone during the first period of Friday’s Winter Classic in Miami.

Maurice said he will be out for a few weeks at least.

The Panthers have also been without captain Sasha Barkov, Tomas Nosek, Dmitry Kulikov, Cole Schwindt, and Jonah Gadjovich for either all or much of the season.

ON DECK: GAME No. 43

FLORIDA PANTHERS at MONTREAL CANADIENS

When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
Where: Bell Centre, Montreal
Local TV: Scripps Sports — WSFL 39 (Miami/FtL); WHDT 9 (WPB); LAFF 36.3 (SWFla)
Streaming: Panthers+, ESPN+
Radio: WQAM; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 931 or 932, NHL App
Last Season: Canadiens won 4-0
This Season (Canadiens lead 1-0) — At Montreal: Thursday; April 7. At Florida: Canadiens 3, Panthers 2 OT (Dec. 30).
All-time Regular Season Series: Florida leads 58-43-11, 6 ties
Up Next for the Panthers: Saturday at Ottawa Senators, 7