Bruins' Brad Marchand: Hearing scheduled for cringe-worthy play

Marchand has a hearing scheduled for Thursday morning as the result of spearing Tampa Bay's Jake Dotchin in the groin Tuesday.

Analysis:

Marchand picked up a five-minute major penalty and an automatic tossing due to game misconduct. The prolific points machine has literally skated on thin ice with the league in terms of questionable behavior -- four separate suspensions and three incidents resulting in fines since March of 2011 -- so that could be factored into the league's decision on whether to suspend him. However, he's a popular player who ranks among the scoring leaders with 39 goals, so that could end up working in his favor.