The Boston Bruins have taken exception to the hit that forced star winger Brad Marchand to exit Thursday's contest against the Washington Capitals.

Capitals forward Garnet Hathaway hit Marchand into the boards during the second period. Hathaway received a two-minute penalty for interference and Marchand went down the tunnel immediately afterward but temporarily returned to the bench.

The Bruins veteran was seen putting ice on his shoulder and was in visible discomfort. Marchand was seemingly unable to raise his right arm to celebrate a goal later in the period.

Prior to the third period, the Bruins announced Marchand wouldn't return due to an upper-body injury.

"You hate to see March go down on a cheap hit," Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said after the team's 4-3 victory, according to Boston Sports Journal's Conor Ryan.

He added, "I didn't like at all. ... Seen that from that player in the past."

Cassidy didn't provide much of an update on Marchand's status, just confirming the upper-body ailment.

Bruins forward David Pastrnak also expressed his displeasure with the incident.

"I didn't like it, obviously. ... I think it was a little dirty," he said.

Marchand wasn't the only Bruins player who was forced to leave the contest. Forward Anton Blidh exited with an upper-body injury after taking a thunderous hit from Capitals pest Tom Wilson in the opening frame.

Marchand leads all Bruins skaters with 43 points in 32 games.

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