How the Bruins' Brad Marchand will approach the matchup against Sam Bennett

The Bruins open the season against the Panthers and there is a long history between the teams.

Florida has knocked Boston out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs the last two seasons, and there was plenty of physicality in last year's postseason. One infamous moment was Sam Bennett's hit on Brad Marchand in Game 3, which knocked the Bruins captain out of the following two games.

Marchand held no grudge against Bennett over the goal, and the 36-year-old showed no ill intentions ahead of Tuesday's season opener.

“Listen, this is part of the playoffs,” Marchand told reporters in a video provided by the team. “I have said it many times. If you can eliminate players in the playoffs, it will only give your team an advantage. This is what happens. The teams play very physically. They are a very physical team and that is part of their DNA. You play this game and never expect to get hurt. I was on my side on both sides of the gunfire. Again, it's part of the game. He definitely got away with one. You can see the piece and everything. This is how the game works. I have no animosity. I'll play just as hard as always. It’s part of the game.”

Marchand noted that the goal for the Bruins remains the same and they will look to make a statement against the reigning Stanley Cup champions to achieve their goals.