The Boston Bruins will look to stave off elimination once again in Game 6 of their second round series against the Florida Panthers on Friday.

BOSTON – The Boston Bruins are once again facing elimination against the Florida Panthers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Second Round at TD Garden on Friday, and they could be getting a major reinforcement back in the lineup.

Brad Marchand (upper body) is officially a game-time decision after missing the past two games following a controversial hit from Panthers forward Sam Bennett. Marchand created some headlines when addressing the media for the first time since the hit, talking about the nature of the hit and its role in the playoffs, but Bruins coach Jim Montgomery tried to refocus the message on Friday.

“Personally, I just love the intensity that emanates from him,” Montgomery said. “Playoff hockey, everyone sees it. There’s more intensity, there’s more emotion, and that’s what he was talking about.”

Marchand took the ice for Boston’s optional morning skate on Friday after practicing in full on Thursday, when he skated on one of the top lines with Charlie Coyle and Trent Frederic. He also completed reps on the first power-play unit. With the season on the line, it appears Marchand is poised to re-enter the lineup barring a setback.

“He’s going through his final steps. He’ll be a game-time decision,” Montgomery said.

While Montgomery is not disclosing the final decision, it appears Marchand’s mother, Lynn, seems to believe her son will be returning, according to 7NEWS’s Steve Cooper.

Below is the projected lineup for Friday, based on Thursday’s practice:

Jake DeBrusk - Morgan Geekie - David Pastrnak

Brad Marchand - Charlie Coyle - Trent Frederic

Danton Heinen - Pavel Zacha - Justin Brazeau

James van Riemsdyk - John Beecher - Pat Maroon

Hampus Lindholm - Charlie McAvoy

Mason Lohrei - Brandon Carlo

Parker Wotherspoon - Andrew Peeke

Jeremy Swayman

Linus Ullmark

If Marchands returns, it will likely be one of Jakub Lauko or James van Riemsdyk who falls out of the lineup, as the two rotated spots on the fourth-line left wing during Thursday’s practice. If Marchand is out, Danton Heinen and van Riemsdyk would likely each move up a line with Lauko sliding into the fourth line spot.

The Panthers will make some changes to their fourth line, with Ryan Lomberg and Nick Cousins set to flank Kevin Stenlund. Steven Lorentz and Kyle Okposo will come out. Besides that, it will be the same lineup Boston faced in Game 5.

Heinen, who missed five games with an undisclosed injury before returning for Game 4’s 3-2 loss on May 12, said he’s feeling “better with every game,” and if Marchand does in fact return, the Bruins will have all hands on deck for the first time in a while.

“It’s good energy in here,” Heinen said. “Like I said, I feel like we’re building, and I think we still got our best game to show. So I think everyone’s excited.”

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