Marchand sorry for putting Bruins at 'disadvantage'

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand apologized Thursday, one day after he was suspended for three games by the NHL Department of Player Safety.

Marchand was punished for clipping Ottawa Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki in the first period of the Bruins' 7-3 win at TD Garden on Tuesday. The suspension includes the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic against the Montreal Canadiens at Gillette Stadium on Friday (1 p.m. ET; NBC, TVA Sports, SN).

"I just wanted to acknowledge the situation that I've put my team in for being undisciplined, affecting the game for them, taking away from the excitement for the fans of being part of this rivalry, and taking that away from them," Marchand said during a joint press conference with general manager Don Sweeney. "And then also for affecting this game for myself and putting myself in a situation to not be part of this. So I want to apologize and I truly am sorry to everyone about the situation. It was not my intent to make a hit or try and injure anyone on that play."

Marchand leads the Bruins with 15 goals and he's fourth with 26 points. The Bruins already were without forwards David Krejci, Joonas Kemppainen and Chris Kelly, all of whom are on injured reserve. Krejci is tied for second on the Bruins with 33 points.

"That's the situation that I'm speaking of," Marchand said. "I understand that I put our team down where we already have some injuries. Again, I've put them at a disadvantage so that is frustrating yes."

In his seventh NHL season, Marchand has tried to emerge as more of a leader. Sweeney said that Marchand's decision to speak publicly after the suspension was a sign of maturity.

"I think it speaks a lot for Brad to want to be out in front of this today," Sweeney said. "The impact that it's had on the team and sort of the game itself, the fans. And he asked us if he could sort of address it in front of his teammates going out for practice and getting ready for this game. And I think it speaks, to answer the question, to maturity. It says a lot to where Brad is and the impact he has in our lineup. So I think we could leave it at that. We respect Player Safety's decision on the play. It's unfortunate for Brad and our team and our fans. But we'll leave it at that."

Sweeney said forward Alexander Khokhlachev was called up from Providence of the American Hockey League. Defenseman Colin Miller was assigned to Providence.