The Bruins nearly lost another skater for the remainder of Sunday’s Game 4 matchup against the Panthers due to a dangerous late hit.
Fourth-line winger Garnet Hathaway was banged up after the whistle sounded at the end of the first period at FLA Live Arena, slowly making it off the ice following a cross-check from Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk.
The first 20 minutes of Game 4 ended with a scuffle near the end boards in Florida’s zone, with Hathaway and Brad Marchand exchanging pleasantries with Gustav Forsling.
As the final horn sounded, Tkachuk — skating in from the slot — cross-checked Hathaway right in the ribs, dropping him to the ice.